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March 23rd, 2014 14:00
Dell Inspiron N5010 Recently Reinstalled Windows 7 - Product Key Won't Work for Online Activation
I have recently re-installed Windows 7 on my Dell Inspiron N5010 (15R?). I did this using a version of Windows 7 downloaded from the internet. When I entered my product key it did not work, I have since found out that this is because my product key is from a version of Windows which came pre-installed with my laptop. I realise now that I could have used the factory image that was originally saved on the recovery partition of my laptop. However, after re-installing Windows from the downloaded version, this factory image file seems to have been deleted. I was wondering if there is any possible way to restore my laptop in a way that will allow my product key to activate Windows. Is it possible to download a recovery image file from somewhere that will work for my laptop? Is there any way that I may be able to recover the backup data that was previously stored on my laptop? Or is it possible to request a CD from dell that I can use to do a clean install of my OS (my laptop did not come with any recovery disks, so I'm assuming everything that was needed to do a factory image reset was previously stored on the recovery partition of the hard drive). I apologise for the mass of unorganised information in this post, any help would be appreciated though. If you need any more information please ask and I will post it on here ASAP.
Thanks in advance.
ejn63
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March 23rd, 2014 14:00
In the US, you can request a disc online
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/476.2-0-requesting-a-microsoft-windows-reinstallation-cddvd-from-dell.aspx
Outside the US, you'll need to call Dell, but there is no way to download the factory image.
theflash1932
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March 23rd, 2014 16:00
If you have used a legitimate source of operating system media (Digital River), and you have used media that matches your operating system version (Home Premium, Professional, etc.), then you will need to activate by phone after entering your system's product key.
Or you can request a DVD from Dell in your region.
Philip_Yip
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March 23rd, 2014 17:00
Assuming you used a legitimate installation source such as a Digital River .iso and you selected the same version of Windows on the COA. Then you may use the ABR Program and Restore using the Dell Files, this will give you the SLP activation mechanism of the Dell Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD allowing you to activate without the need to enter the key on a possibly faded COA or phoning Microsoft:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/the-activation-backup-and-recovery-program-windows-7-version/