Product key not valid ?

[Rumrunner 24]

I am getting this message "The product key you ave entered doesn't appear to be valid" This is really starting to annoy the *(%# out of me. I have a legit copy of Windows 7 Professional.
I just got a new hard drive (old one failed) I've entered the wrong key by accident before and I get a different message than the one I'm getting now, It won't let you continue to add characters if you don't put the right stuff in.So that leads me to believe that my key is correct and maybe it won't accept it because I've used it before.
Was I suppose to deactivate it before I did a reinstall ? Obviously, I couldn't do that anyway but I can't think of why it wouldn't work.Unless I can only use it a certain amount of times.
This is the third or fourth reinstall with this key. When I finish the initial install I put it in and it worked fine but now it's asking for it again. Why ?
Don't bother with the "We don't support piracy" stuff. This is a 100% legit payed for product key. I still have both 32 and 64bit dvd's if you guys want me to upload a picture That's fine.

 

[USAFRet]

Where are you seeing that it does not accept it?

Entering the key, or upon activation?

 

[Rumrunner 24]

Upon activation

 

[Rumrunner 24]

Where are you seeing that it does not accept it?

Entering the key, or upon activation?

Thanks for the fast reply.
It worked fine when I entered it the first time. I was connected to the internet so I don't know why it want's it again.

 

[Pinhedd]

I am getting this message "The product key you ave entered doesn't appear to be valid" This is really starting to annoy the *(%# out of me. I have a legit copy of Windows 7 Professional.
I just got a new hard drive (old one failed) I've entered the wrong key by accident before and I get a different message than the one I'm getting now, It won't let you continue to add characters if you don't put the right stuff in.So that leads me to believe that my key is correct and maybe it won't accept it because I've used it before.
Was I suppose to deactivate it before I did a reinstall ? Obviously, I couldn't do that anyway but I can't think of why it wouldn't work.Unless I can only use it a certain amount of times.
This is the third or fourth reinstall with this key. When I finish the initial install I put it in and it worked fine but now it's asking for it again. Why ?
Don't bother with the "We don't support piracy" stuff. This is a 100% legit payed for product key. I still have both 32 and 64bit dvd's if you guys want me to upload a picture That's fine.

Did you purchase an OEM version of Windows or a Retail version of Windows? You may have to look at the box to find out which.

Retail versions of Windows should have no activation issues as long as the key isn't in use on more than one PC at once. OEM versions of windows are bound to the motherboard's firmware and can occasionally cause problems if the firmware is updated.

 

[smorizio]

you can also get this error if you reinstalled windows a few times with a key. the easy fix is contact microsoft support they will reset the flags on the key to let the key you have work again.

 

[Rumrunner 24]

I am getting this message "The product key you ave entered doesn't appear to be valid" This is really starting to annoy the *(%# out of me. I have a legit copy of Windows 7 Professional.
I just got a new hard drive (old one failed) I've entered the wrong key by accident before and I get a different message than the one I'm getting now, It won't let you continue to add characters if you don't put the right stuff in.So that leads me to believe that my key is correct and maybe it won't accept it because I've used it before.
Was I suppose to deactivate it before I did a reinstall ? Obviously, I couldn't do that anyway but I can't think of why it wouldn't work.Unless I can only use it a certain amount of times.
This is the third or fourth reinstall with this key. When I finish the initial install I put it in and it worked fine but now it's asking for it again. Why ?
Don't bother with the "We don't support piracy" stuff. This is a 100% legit payed for product key. I still have both 32 and 64bit dvd's if you guys want me to upload a picture That's fine.

Did you purchase an OEM version of Windows or a Retail version of Windows? You may have to look at the box to find out which.

Retail versions of Windows should have no activation issues as long as the key isn't in use on more than one PC at once. OEM versions of windows are bound to the motherboard's firmware and can occasionally cause problems if the firmware is updated.

I'm not sure. The dvd says "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"

 

[Rumrunner 24]

you can also get this error if you reinstalled windows a few times with a key. the easy fix is contact microsoft support they will reset the flags on the key to let the key you have work again.

I'll try this and get back to you.
Thank you all.

 

[USAFRet]

Where are you seeing that it does not accept it?

Entering the key, or upon activation?

Thanks for the fast reply.
It worked fine when I entered it the first time. I was connected to the internet so I don't know why it want's it again.

Given a valid key, on a reinstall, sometimes it chokes on activation. It should present you with a phone number to call and activate over the phone.
Do that. Takes about 3 minutes.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm not sure. The dvd says "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"

And it also says "Dell", right?

 

[Rumrunner 24]

I'm not sure. The dvd says "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"

And it also says "Dell", right?

It doesn't say that. Just include service pack 1 and the date is 2011.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm not sure. The dvd says "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"

And it also says "Dell", right?

It doesn't say that. Just include service pack 1 and the date is 2011.

Well...if online activation fails, you have to go through the MS phone robot. If that fails, you have to call and go through a human.

 

[Rumrunner 24]

I'm not sure. The dvd says "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"

And it also says "Dell", right?

It doesn't say that. Just include service pack 1 and the date is 2011.

Well...if online activation fails, you have to go through the MS phone robot. If that fails, you have to call and go through a human.

Funny you said that. When I was searching this came up in the suggestion box

 

[Rumrunner 24]

When I click 'See other ways to activate your product key" It takes me to the screen to type it in again. Is the number something simple like the xbox stuff is 1-800-4myxbox ?

 

[USAFRet]

When I click 'See other ways to activate your product key" It takes me to the screen to type it in again. Is the number something simple like the xbox stuff is 1-800-4myxbox ?

See this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929