Entering product key

[LohneB]

While I have tried to find an answer, the one that actually might work eludes me!
I have installed the release candidate (RC 7100) of Windows 7 on one of my PC's and am very happy with the product so far. However, I don't recall a message coming up asking me to enter the product key. Now, I'm getting messages that tell me the software may be illegal, and would like to somehow enter one of the several keys I have for this product. The help files don't seem to have an answer that works. Any suggestions? I'm sure this is easy to do, I just don't seem to know how to do it.

Thanks all,

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[Servamatic]

Look for the "Activation" application, I believe it is in the Control Panel.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[LohneB]

Thanks - I'll give that a try..

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[LohneB]

Can't find the activation app. If I search, and go to the "Active Windows" selection, I get an error - call Microsoft to resolve problem. ???

Gotta go to a class - be back in awhile.



Bill
ab-web-design

 

[Servamatic]

OK, on the final version, I opened "Help and Support", searched for "activate" and it gve me a link to activate.
I had already activated, but if it is unable to activate on yours it should give you options.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

Go to Start >Righ-click 'Computer' >select 'Properties' from the context menu >at the bottom of the 'System' properties, select "Change product key" under the "Windows activation" section

Joey
CCNA, MCSA 2003, MCP, A+, Network+, Wireless#

 

[LohneB]

Under 'Windows activation', I see 'Status Not Available' and Product ID: Not Available' - these areas are not 'active', so I am unable to change.

When I do the 'Help and Support' and look for activate, I click on the 'Click to open Windows activation' I get a window that says "An error has occurred' with a further message 'You can also contact Microsoft by phone to help resolve this problem.' I suppose I can try this tomorrow and see what happens. I know Microsoft isn't supporting the RC version of Windows 7, so I don't expect much from them. I'll give that a try, but if there are any other suggestions, short of trying to install it again, I'm certainly open!

Thanks all....

????

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

Hmmm... I was able to reproduce the symptoms you are getting by disabling the "Software Protection" service. Verify that this service is running. Go to Start >Right-click 'Computer' and select 'Manage' from the context menu >expand 'Services and Applications' in the left pane of the "Computer Management" mmc >click on 'Services' and search for the "Software Protection" service. Make sure the service "Status" is Started and verify that its "Startup Type" is set to Automatic (Delayed Start). More information on this service can be found in the link below.

- Software Protection

http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/Services/Software_Protection.htm

Joey
CCNA, MCSA 2003, MCP, A+, Network+, Wireless#

 

[linney]

Use this to type your product key in via a Command Prompt.

Change Windows Product Key After Install

http://www.tweakvista.com/articles/39026/change-windows-product-key-after-install/

1.Click on the Start Button and type in command prompt so that it shows up on your start menu search list. Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Run As Administrator.


2.At the administrator command prompt, type in "slmgr.vbs -ipk <insert your product key here>"

3.To activate windows after changing the key, run "slmgr.vbs -ato

 

[micker377]

Question: which version of the RC is this? The original D/L version has "timed out". If this is what you are referring to, you won't be able to renew it, as it has been discontinued. You should have received a bunch of notices last month that this was going to occur.

 

[LohneB]

I downloaded my copy of the RC toward the end of its' availability. It is build 7100. I didn't get any notification until lately that the software may be 'an illegal' copy. Since, I have been trying to enter the product key - I have a few since I did several downloads to get a clean copy. The suggestions in the previous don't work either, but I'm still trying to get either to work. Can't do anything with the 'Software Protection' service. It is stopped, and I can't start it. Still trying to get the 'Command Prompt' suggestion to work.

Hopefully, I have a version that will allow me to move forward with my testing before I have to make the decision to buy.

Thanks all -

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[LohneB]

Kind people,
At last, I have had a chance to try the suggestions recently made and have obtained the following results -
I get a "Windows Script Host" window that opens with the message:

"On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a
0x80070426' to display the error text.
Error: 0x80070426"

That is after entering the following in a command window:

"C:\Windows\system32>slmgr.vbs -ipk MT39G-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"

I then enter:

"C:\Windows\sustem32>slmgr.vbs -ato"

and I get the same window/error message as at the top of this message.

System seems to run fine, but I often get messages that the software may not be a legal version.

Any suggestions??

Bill
ab-web-design

 

[linney]

Three options that I see.

Purchase the RTM version and move on.

Try repairing your current install.

The method to perform a Repair Install is outlined in this thread. Just make sure you are repairing the correct ServicePack version with any repair media that you use. Good idea to make a backup of the whole partition first.

"set association troubles in vista"

http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/7d8343ea-b3ea-47f5-8a23-c128a733afd1

Or this one.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Repair Installation:

You may reinstall your copy of Vista while keeping your files, settings, and programs by performing a repair installation or an in-place upgrade with the following steps: (Note: This does not always resolve all issues, especially if the corruption was caused by a 3rd party program or service, you might need to do a clean installation if this is unsuccessful.)

Finally clean install your current RC version and use a different Product Key.

Free Windows 7 Downloads Discontinued
Product keys available until one day ahead of GA

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Free-Windows-7-Downloads-Discontinued-119829.shtml

You didn't go down this path when you originally installed the RC as far as Activation was concerned?

Use Vista without activation for 120 days

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/070215

 

[LohneB]

Hi all -

Did a new install on a different disc partition - entered the product key when asked - everything came right up and worked with the exception of the Netgear USB device. Ran the driver installaton that I found here, thanks, and all is well. Impressed with the performance of Windows 7 over Vista..

Thanks for all your help!!


Bill
ab-web-design