Invalid Product Key

KitKat77

Hello all

If you can help, I would be very happy.

I bought a laptop from PC world 2 months ago and it has locked me out saying I have an invalid product key.

I have tried going back to the store as well as calling MS who told me to go to Packard Bell. Called Packard Bell and the number cut me off. Now I'm stuck. Can anybody provide advice at all?

Many thanks

Kat

espresso

If you bought it from PC world go back to them and insist that they sort out this problem for you!

KitKat77

Hi There

I did ask them what they could do and they said they would just reboot and get rid of all my info. As I only use the pc occaisonally (and it is the first one I had owned!) I hadn't got tound to backing up stuff so I feel scuppered.

espresso

So why can't they back up your data for you? They have sold you this bit of kit, so they should sort you out.

missile

Seems like you got hooky pirate software? I don't understand why you were advised to contact Packard Bell, they don't make software. If it was as supplied from PC World then take it back and demand a refund, per sale of goods act ....... your contract is with them!

KitKat77

PC World say they can't back it up as it they can't get into it. They say I should have registerd it but the thing is, there was no paperwork or anything and I needed a number. I'm a novice so what I didn't know was that the Product key was down below on the bottom of the machine I mean!!!

I'll complain to the store again as I feel thay should be dealing with MS.

PZH

KitKat77 wrote: »

PC World say they can't back it up as it they can't get into it. They say I should have registerd it but the thing is, there was no paperwork or anything and I needed a number....

What they possibly do is simply load the machines from an image and rely on the end user to register the software with MS (?)

Rather than reload the machine, PC world need to reactivate your software with a valid key. Once this is done, you should be able to get to all your work again. Are you dealing with them in person or over the phone - personally I would take the base unit to the store and demand to see someone senior and make a big fuss until they sort it out.

This is PC Worlds problem and it is them that need to sort it - if they suggest dealing with MS or Packard Bell, I would tell them that they need to do that on your behalf - the sale was with them and you have consumer rights.

However, it is a good lesson for you in doing regular backups of important data.

PZH

KitKat77

Hi again.

I have been around the block with MS and PB. They all keep sending me back to each other. PC worls says I am out of my 28 days and they don't need to deal with it. However, I have found a local computer shop who says this is a common problem and that MS or PC World should hold the fix. I am rather annoyed as the guy has offerded to fix it for a nominal charge but I think I will complain to PC worls again this evening in person. I did take the unit with me when I went originally but the guy wasn't bothered to be honest. He just loaded it, saw the screen and told me what I had told him!

Thank you all so much

Kat

ABH_3

KitKat77 wrote: »

Hello all

If you can help, I would be very happy.

I bought a laptop from PC world 2 months ago and it has locked me out saying I have an invalid product key.

I have tried going back to the store as well as calling MS who told me to go to Packard Bell. Called Packard Bell and the number cut me off. Now I'm stuck. Can anybody provide advice at all?

Many thanks

Kat

You could try asking in the MS WGA forums:
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=1004&SiteID=25

Or if that doesn't work, contact your credit card company and tell them you want to return a PC to PCWorld as they didn't give you what you ordered. As soon as PC World find they're likely to be losing some money, they'll see the error of their ways. In which case, get your money back and never deal with them again, just like everyone else

Good luck!

richyrichuk

sorry but that is the biggest load of bull-poo i have ever heard. re-install??!?!? are pc world totally mental.

NB: also if u acyually buy a pc with windows on it. if u actually checfk ur product key doesnt match with whats on the out side of the box. the key used is actually a corperate key. unless u have changed it. but when it says its invalid u can just reactivate it.

see this link.
it should look something simlar to this.


if thats not what the problem is. with ur phono or a digi cam take a pic of ur screen for me please. and i can sort it from there...

cheers

rich

ps. also pc world. cant get into ur data? 1st of all u can go into safe mode. and if not that just put ur HD in another PC and drag if off that way. useless PC world are. i hate them never buy off them amateurs.

albertross_2

Does the laptop have a COA sticker on it?

If so, it's Microsoft's problem, and they should be able to sort it out on the phone.



When did this problem start?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/27/wga_server_outage_aug_2007/