UNSOLVED
Reinstall Win 7 after HDD failure need activation key
My HDD started failing and I managed to get my data off it.
I've installed an SSD and reinstalled windows from a fresh copy as I cannot create recovery media from the old HDD as the recovery partition is damaged.
The Win 7 installed worked mostly using the OEM key but I keep getting windows warning about it not being genuine Windows 7.
I contacted Microsoft but they say I need to contact DELL to get a key to "activate" Windows properly.
Can someone help - I am in UK so apparently I cannot use the DELL US option of getting recovery disks in the post.
Thanks John
DELL-Saharsh K
6 Operator
•
1518 Posts
1473
0
Posted July 10th, 2013 14:00
Hi jljunk,
Please share the system model. Also, I hope you have installed the same version of the Windows 7 which was shipped along the system, because if not then the key printed on the system will not activate the Windows.
Please reply with the information, will take it further from there.
Philip_Yip
11 Legend
•
16052 Posts
•
65915 Points
1473
0
Posted July 12th, 2013 03:00
Thanks - loads.
Worked brilliantly!
Great glad to help.
Note I am from the UK also and really unsatisfied with how difficult it is to obtain a Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD. The situation has got worse for Windows 8 because Microsoft have not provided a .iso if, you agree add your vote to the IdeaStorm here which suggests Dell should address the issue: http://www.ideastorm.com/idea2ReadIdea?Id=087700000008mnRAAQ&v=1369477976516 (unfortunately IdeaStorm has a separate login from the rest of the Dell Community but Dell are more likely to address issues on IdeaStorm which have a large number of votes).
Also this poll here http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/p/19476992/20233076.aspx#20233076.
Philip_Yip
11 Legend
•
16052 Posts
•
65915 Points
1473
1
Posted July 10th, 2013 15:00
If you can boot into the Windows installation of the old harddrive. Run ABRbeta.exe as instructed in my Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19480753.aspx
This will allow you to backup your Dell OEM Windows 7 Activation from your old installation and to restore it in your new installation.
Pay in particular attention to Step 1c and Step 11b which mention use of this utility.
Windows 11 Installation Guide
Windows 7 Installation Guide