Windows 7, products key palava...

[goldeneyedmonkey]

Hello folks,

I bought an acer laptop (Aspire 7736) just over a year ago now, and when it was under warranty I sent it back because there was an issue with the PSU. They replaced it no meither except being without it for a week.
Then after 30 days I was asked to validate/ or authenticate my windows, I tried doing this and I was told that my product key wasn't valid. So I rang acer and they said that as the motherboard had been changed as well then it won't recognise the serial as authentic. I said that they should just tell me a serial number over the phone as they knew that I was a genuine customer, they said that they couldn't do this. I had a brief argument with the 'specialist' (double meaning there) and they said they couldn't do it, so I would have to send off my laptop for another week, even though it was their fault.

So, I didn't have much choice in the matter and sent it back only to receive it back with the EXACT SAME PROBLEM. After 30 days it didn't recognise the serial. So I duly rang them up again and told them, they weren't very apologetic as they said it was the service departments fault, I was pretty annoyed as it was still THEIR company and THEIR fault. But now I was out of the warranty period they said I would have to pay for the repair, and pay for their courier (£40 for some reason). So I asked to speak to the 'specialists' supervisor, I managed to get them to waiver the charge for the courier but I would still have to pay for the 'repair'.

So then I was supposed to liaise with the couriers to get it picked up. Frankly I didn't want to risk getting stung for, what they said could be anything up to £60 (I can get a new copy for about that). But I am still pretty pi55ed off, so I'm trying to find a way that is going to be cheaper than this.

I've got Windows 7 Home Premium, I have a friend who works in I.T and can get me a serial, either one that is supposed to be sent off with a pre-installed windows on it, or a multi-use one, but I've not been able to get hold of him recently, think he's snowed under @ work.

If anyone has any ideas then please give me a shout. Cheers _Dan

 

[Dibs-h]

They are all "multi-use" if you see what I mean. Using a key that has already been "activated" on 1 PC doesn't result in problems with it being activated on a 2nd PC - for either PC.

I'm not suggesting for 1 minute that you'd "buy" 1 license and use it on all the PC's at home, but in instances where folk may have a holiday home and a PC there, it would be quite proper to use the same key on the PC there and the one at the 1st home - as it would be physically impossible to use both PC's at once.

Dibs

 

[goldeneyedmonkey]

I think he meant one of those versions that is for 5 users at any one time i.e a small office. No-one I know has got Home Premium, otherwise I would have tried their code on my PC. _Dan

 

[jpt]

Have you tried re entering your existing key? instructions for this are here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/wind ... roduct-key

If that doesnt work when you run the activation wizard it should give you a number to ring if you want to activate it over the phone try giving them a ring I have had success with both of these ways in the past.

john

 

[goldeneyedmonkey]

Yeah I've tried that John, the original serial that came loaded onto the laptop is printed on the base. But because they changed the motherboard (well that's the reason they gave anyway) it won't recognise it as authentic.

Cheers _Dan.

 

[brianhabby]

Have you tried calling Microsoft?

regards

Brian

 

[Pvt_Ryan]

Yeah I've tried that John, the original serial that came loaded onto the laptop is printed on the base. But because they changed the motherboard (well that's the reason they gave anyway) it won't recognise it as authentic.

Cheers _Dan.

BULLSHIT. The serials have nothing to do with the hardware, what it is is that due to the part change the system no long sees itself as itself (to prevent you imaging your hard disk on to 50 other hard disks and selling them with windows). That is why you need to activate again.

I am also pretty sure as they ballsed up it's their problem not yours, call customer services and threaten to call trading standards.

Now ANY MS key for that version should work, i dont think they even have "OEM" keys any more (it used to be the case an OEM key required an OEM install cd). I think with windows 7 they just have the versions. MS don't actually care what key you use as long as you are licensed so as long as you get a key for Home premium you should be fine (from a legal standpoint).

If you got a recovery cd with the windows 7 installer you could try reinstalling the OS and see if it activates.

Regards,

RYan

 

[knappers]

Using the installation ID from the sticker absolutely will work - it just may be that you need to change your product ID to reflect the changed hardware. Choose the activate by phone option, and they will sort you out - the robotised method may fail, but then you can speak to a human and they will talk you through it. Have done it loads of times. So long as you have a genuine sticker on the bottom of the laptop you will be fine.

Si.

 

[goldeneyedmonkey]

Trading standards was my next port of call... but they're not needed now thanks to a very kind person. All sorted. I'll probably ring or send an email to Acer in the near future, I just couldn't be pineappled dealing with the muppets again @ the time. Thanks for all your suggestions and advice. Much appreciated.

Cheers all. _Dan.