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Activation key for windows vista

hiya

this is the 1st time i've used my laptop away from home i have 3connect mobile bb andi just switched the laptop on

on the main screen there's a pop up box asking for activation key???????? i clicked cancel as i don't know what to do also on the screen above the clock it states

windows vista (TM0
build 6002
This is copy of windows is not genuine

i've never hadf those above messages before

if it helps this laptop has had a new hard drive fitted by pc world

any advice please
«1

Comments

  • I would suggest contacting PC world. Maybe they entered an incorrect
    code when they installed windows on your new Hard Drive.
    "I may be dead, but I'm still pretty. Which is more than I can say for you."- Buffy (Prophecy Girl)
  • 4743hudsonj
    4743hudsonj Posts: 3,298 Forumite
    hiya

    this is the 1st time i've used my laptop away from home i have 3connect mobile bb andi just switched the laptop on

    on the main screen there's a pop up box asking for activation key???????? i clicked cancel as i don't know what to do also on the screen above the clock it states

    windows vista (TM0
    build 6002
    This is copy of windows is not genuine

    i've never hadf those above messages before

    if it helps this laptop has had a new hard drive fitted by pc world

    any advice please

    they have installed a new copy of windows vista on the hard drive and not bothered activating it for you.

    you need to ring up pc world and ask them for the key to activate it, if they do not have one then ring Microsoft and explain the situation and they may be able to help you by deactivating the windows on your old drive and letting you use your current key on the greenish MS sticker on your laptop(bottom).


    PS i should have mentioned, first just try entering the product key of that sticker when windows asks for it (or right click on "computer" in your start menu and click properties, there should be some kind of message with a link for activating windows) if that works then jobs a gooden but if not follow my earlier advice.
    Back by no demand whatsoever.
  • davester
    davester Posts: 4,079 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Another reason why PC world stinks and caused you to have technically illegal software on your machine untill you can get the code. Report them to trading standards even if they sort it. PC world needs a kick in the bum
    Survey earnings total 2009 £417, 2010 £875, 2011 £574
  • FirstTimer4Me
    FirstTimer4Me Posts: 1,079 Forumite
    ta for all the help so far

    i right cliced my computer > properties> windows activation key

    but there are 3 options for me to choose

    use automated phone system

    buy a new product key online

    type a different product key

    not sure which one to chose
  • Choose type a different key, use the one on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
    Beer meter E[.\.......]F
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Take it back to PCW and tell them to sort it out! Quite unbelievable...
    Or, knowing PCW, perhaps it's not.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • AirCooledHeaven
    AirCooledHeaven Posts: 884 Forumite
    500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 28 August 2009 at 5:26PM
    Did you buy the laptop new or secondhand? If not new then maybe it already had a non-legit product key installed. Microsoft eventually catches up with all these pirated keys during the 'windows update' process.
  • FirstTimer4Me
    FirstTimer4Me Posts: 1,079 Forumite
    thanks for everyone's help
    Did you buy the laptop new or secondhand?
    i bought the laptop new

    since i posted my message earlier, im on holiday in london so i took it to a local pc world they had to contact microsoft to get the key and now it's sorted.

    thanks for the avice and about contacting pc world id have been stuck otherwise.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Glad you got it sorted, please take your business anywhere but PCW in future though, it's just not worth the hassle...
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • davester
    davester Posts: 4,079 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Did you buy the laptop new or secondhand?

    No thats curry's that sell second hand computers as new.
    Survey earnings total 2009 £417, 2010 £875, 2011 £574
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