Problem with Windows validation on Advent 4211-B

Browntoa

old netbook that I'm trying to fix for a friend , did the re-install from the "techguys" partition thats on there so factory reset but fails windows verification

seems theres no way to speak to a real person about this these days as the microsoft 0800 number cuts off as soon as it says that you are filing verification

as its an old machine I'm unable to read the sticker (WHY do they put them underneath the netbooks where they will get worn ?? ) and as I've done the re-install I'm unable to get the original key

any ideas ??

Trinitrotoluene

Do you have any kind of a backup of the previous machine? If so as long as you can get access to the registry you can recover the product key. Does the MS line not take you through to a real person if it fails?

EDIT: Might be worth giving the tech guys a ring to see if they can help you out. Also did she/he get any documentation with it like a COA? It might be on there.

Donnie

Do you have an external optical drive?

Donnie

Whatever happened to this thread?

Browntoa

only just come back to it ?? posts gone missing ???

I can access a network shared drive or connect a drive via a usb adapter if needs be

Browntoa

tech guys (Pcworld) don't want to know unless its still within warranty. I suspect that some works been carried out on it in the past as a screw is missing form underneath and I'm convinced the cover is not correctly reseated under the battery ( possible PC world warranty work ?) which MAY be the reason it fails validation ( change of motherboard but original HDD would fail WGA)

Donnie

So, do you have time to fix it now?

Browntoa

got half an hour now if thats long enough

Donnie

Should be. Check your PMs.

Browntoa

will do ....................

no pm's....yet

Donnie

There now.