Activate

[Andre]

I recently purchased a new HP notebook that came with Vista Home Premium.
The first thing I do with any computer I buy is to reinstall the OS to get
rid of all the crap the manufacturers put on. Prior to doing this I got the
Vista key by using keyfinder. I then took my MSDN copy of Vista that has
all flavors of Vista but installs a particular flavor depending on the key
you give it. I gave it the key I found using keyfinder. It proceeded to
successfully install Vista Home Premium. Now all the sudden my notebook is
asking me to activate. When I do it tells me the copy of Vista isn't
genuine, and asks if I want to use another key. I try the same key and of
course it gives me the same message. I don't want to use the re-install CD
that the notebook came with because it installs all the crap I don't want.
Is there any way to get this key to work - without calling MS for $59? I
promise it's not bootlegged software, and I've used keyfinder a lot in the
past and it works perfectly. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks, Andre

 

[LVTravel]

I recently purchased a new HP notebook that came with Vista Home Premium.
The first thing I do with any computer I buy is to reinstall the OS to get
rid of all the crap the manufacturers put on. Prior to doing this I got
the Vista key by using keyfinder. I then took my MSDN copy of Vista that
has all flavors of Vista but installs a particular flavor depending on the
key you give it. I gave it the key I found using keyfinder. It proceeded
to successfully install Vista Home Premium. Now all the sudden my
notebook is asking me to activate. When I do it tells me the copy of
Vista isn't genuine, and asks if I want to use another key. I try the
same key and of course it gives me the same message. I don't want to use
the re-install CD that the notebook came with because it installs all the
crap I don't want. Is there any way to get this key to work - without
calling MS for $59? I promise it's not bootlegged software, and I've used
keyfinder a lot in the past and it works perfectly. Any suggestions are
appreciated.

Thanks, Andre

When you used the keyfinder version key from the original install this was
where you went wrong. That key is the mass install key that HP uses to
clone all their hard drives with during the manufacturer process. It won't
work for any reinstall from any other media. You need to use the key that
is on the sticker that is on the bottom of your laptop.

 

[Andre]

Perfect - this worked and I'm now activated! Thank you very much.

Andre