Unable to activate after clean install of 10586

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  1. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #1

    Unable to activate after clean install of 10586


    Since the Win10 Upgrade fails on my HP DV6 notebook, I decided to do a clean install.

    But now, it won't take the Win7 product key for activation!!

    I called MS and they told me that a clean-install will NOT activate using Win7 product keys and that I have to purchase a product key.

    I got this same story from two different MS reps.

    I thought you COULD activate a clean-install using Win7 key using build 10586.

    What is going on here?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #2

    Well first thing that should happen is MS should sack those tech support persons either for incompetence, or scamming you.

    You can activate Windows 10 version 10586 using old key.

    First thing we need to do is establish some facts.

    1) is old key in use currently elsewhere?

    2) are you using the COA key if pc came with Windows 7 preinstalled - key is usually on a blue sticker on base of pc or under battery.

    3) have you reinstalled Windows 7 several times on this pc (can get temporarily blocked and may need telephone activating)


    4) are you sure you have installed correct version eg an EU N verrsion will not work on a normal key?

    5) Run showkeyplus and check your key. Post image blanking install code except last five digits for security.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    cereberus said:
    Well first thing that should happen is MS should sack those tech support persons either for incompetence, or scamming you.
    Agreed -- but that's the same message from everyone that I reach.

    You can activate Windows 10 version 10586 using old key.

    First thing we need to do is establish some facts.

    1) is old key in use currently elsewhere?
    Only on the same laptop, and I removed Win7 completely from it before doing the clean-install.

    2) are you using the COA key if pc came with Windows 7 preinstalled - key is usually on a blue sticker on base of pc or under battery.
    Actually, I have tried two keys. I ran Belarc advisor and it retrieved two keys - one of which matched the COA sticker. I also ran showkeyplus --and it showed the same key as the COA. Tried both keys.

    3) have you reinstalled Windows 7 several times on this pc (can get temporarily blocked and may need telephone activating)
    Yes -- but not reinstalled, restored -- using an image backup I made with Macrium Reflect. I had to do that after the upgrade crashed in order to get a working machine back.

    4) are you sure you have installed correct version eg an EU N verrsion will not work on a normal key?
    Yes -- made the USB stick from the Media Creation Tool and made sure I chose the proper version -- Win10 Home to replace Win 7 Home Premium.

    5) Run showkeyplus and check your key. Post image blanking install code except last five digits for security.
    Here's the information from the file showkeyplus creates:

    Windows Product Key Information
    Product Name: Windows 7 Home Premium
    Product ID: 00359-OEM-8992687-00010
    Installed Key: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-3Q6C9
    OEM Key: Windows 7 OEM marker present in firmware
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,453
       #4

    Mark, if you have this key XXXX-XXXX-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9 it won't activate as it's an OEM generic key...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Superfly said:
    Mark, if you have this key XXXX-XXXX-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9 it won't activate as it's an OEM generic key...
    YES -- that's one of the keys I used, the other one is from the COA sticker. That is the key that showkeyplus showed. Neither work.

    What do I do now? I'm certainly not going to spend $100 or more to activate what amounts to an upgrade.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,453
       #6

    If the the direct upgrade nor the COA key works, creating a genuine ticket may be the only way to clean install Home.

    COA keys have a low activation count and in many instances require phone activation, unfortunately that won't on a clean install of 10 as digital entitlement is online only.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Superfly said:
    If the the direct upgrade nor the COA key works, creating a genuine ticket may be the only way to clean install Home.

    COA keys have a low activation count and in many instances require phone activation, unfortunately that won't on a clean install of 10 as digital entitlement is online only.
    I've read about the Genuine Ticket approach, so I restored Win7 (from an image backup) and generated the ticket xml file -- and saved it off to a usb stick.

    OK, so I'll restore Win10 (from an image backup) and see if applying that ticket file works.

    UPDATE; It worked!!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #8

    Mark Phelps said:
    I've read about the Genuine Ticket approach, so I restored Win7 (from an image backup) and generated the ticket xml file -- and saved it off to a usb stick.

    OK, so I'll restore Win10 (from an image backup) and see if applying that ticket file works.

    UPDATE; It worked!!
    Good news - now make a new Macrium image backup of course!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
    Thread Starter
       #9

    cereberus said:
    Good news - now make a new Macrium image backup of course!
    Right!! Have already done that. MR is a really great product -- it's saved me numerous times. And with this recent Win10 upgrade problem, it changed hours of reinstalls and reconfigurations into only a few minutes each.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #10

    Mark Phelps said:
    Right!! Have already done that. MR is a really great product -- it's saved me numerous times. And with this recent Win10 upgrade problem, it changed hours of reinstalls and reconfigurations into only a few minutes each.
    Totally agree but, although I am not paranoid (I KNOW THEY are out to get me), I still make occasional image backups using a different imaging package as an added precaution, but have not had to resort to restoring from such in anger, for over five years or more.
      My Computer


 

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