windows product key ?

Vaila

hi, last month my laptop literally went black so i had to go to pcworld and get the tech guys to "repair" it, however since then my windows vista i not activated and i cant find the original box the laptop came in (i got it as a xmas gift nearly 3 years ago) and the numbers on the sticker underneath have rubbed off. im not sure what to do, i cant afford to buy a new windows package, but i have backed up my files. i just dont understand why pcworld did not tell me that they had removed my windows, so pretty stuck now

[Deleted User]

Easy. Go back to PCWorld and request they kindly finish the job you paid for and activate your copy of Windows.

Vaila

i phoned them and they basically said its not their problem that the product key rubbed off, regardless that my windows was registered before i gave my laptop to them to be repaired

totalsolutions

Screen fault and they install Windows?

John_Gray

The only two places you can find the product key for Windows are

• the holograph sticker underneath the laptop
• via a 'key recovery' program running in Windows on the laptop

So basically, you're stuffed. Another ringing endorsement of PC World...

Probably your only solution is to ring up Microsoft and give them the complete story, and if they're kind (and they probably will be if you mention 'PC World' as the perpetrators of this disaster) they may issue you with a new Product Key. Try this link - there should be a phone number in there somewhere...

If not, here's a quote from another post on a different BBS:
OK solution found, tried the UK number again (0844 8002400) this time ignoring the menu system that diverts you into a black hole, by hitting 0 which puts you through to a real person ...

SocrateS_2

arran_m wrote: »

hi, last month my laptop literally went black so i had to go to pcworld and get the tech guys to "repair" it, however since then my windows vista i not activated and i cant find the original box the laptop came in (i got it as a xmas gift nearly 3 years ago) and the numbers on the sticker underneath have rubbed off. im not sure what to do, i cant afford to buy a new windows package, but i have backed up my files. i just dont understand why pcworld did not tell me that they had removed my windows, so pretty stuck now

Did you register your copy of Windows Vista when prompted to do so? and did you provide them with your ACTUAL details? If so, you can then simply call Microsoft and they should be able to retrieve the details and forward them to the email address you registered their product with or maybe they'll forward them to your actual address.

Is the 'bar code' still readable? As if so then it should be a simple case of photographing then printing that barcode (if only to make sure its entirely legible! If so, print another copy and keep the digital copy ie the one on the computer safe on a Memory Stick and email a copy to yourself, download it and keep it in your Inbox!) and saving it for posterity. Then ringing up Microsoft and asking them if they can read your barcode and retrieve the license number. There's NO reason why they shouldn't be able to NOT retrieve the information from your barcode as Bar Code scanners can read anything upto and including extreme WHITE as described here: http://www.technibble.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-9503.html

Otherwise you'll have to purchase another copy of the OS from a legitimate source ie: NOT PC World or EBAY. If you paid for the netbook by credit card then they're jointly liable aren't they? Maybe you paid for the repair on your credit card in which case you could call and ask what options you have in that department?

Also, PCWorld won't have told you they messed up because they generally deal with ... how can I put this politely ... those more trusting individuals that don't really understand computers!

You know the types that would go into the shop and ask for a laptop say, they'll be sold a Linux variant get home and find that its taken a month and they still can't download Windows MS Messenger and all those Windows programs they've purchased refuse to run.

It keeps showing an error, they've waited so long they've been back to PCWorld and they've told them 'nothing we can do, but if you buy this upgrade to Windows7 or even this whole new computer over here featuring Mac OS then it will sort your problems out, Guaranteed! They duely hand over their money like well I'll let you work that out, then find they're in more doo-doo! All because the 'man in the shop was ever so nice'.

HTH

Interhacker

Was it an OEM windows?

If so, they may have replaced Mobo or components that were registered with the mobo which would invalidate your "Activation"

Either that or im talking utter !!!!!!!!

Browntoa

they have probably used the wrong OEM version to re-install , waht make model Laptop ??

John_Gray

Browntoa wrote: »

They have probably used the wrong OEM version to re-install , what make model Laptop ??

The magic words "PC World" means that almost anything unfortunate could have happened...

Hammyman

Deleted_User wrote: »

Easy. Go back to PCWorld and request they kindly finish the job you paid for and activate your copy of Windows.

They can't - there is no licence key to enter.

Hammyman

John_Gray wrote: »

The only two places you can find the product key for Windows are

• the holograph sticker underneath the laptop
• via a 'key recovery' program running in Windows on the laptop

So basically, you're stuffed. Another ringing endorsement of PC World...

Sorry but its not PC Worlds fault Microsoft deliberately manufacture their labels to be easily rubbed off and that the OP didn't notice it was fading and take action such as putting some cellotape over it.

In fact technically, PC World should have refused to re-install Windows at all as there's not a valid CoA and recovery partition or restore disk.