can't activate win 7 rc
Just did a clean install of Win 7 rc build 7100, but can't activate windows. I am using the key that Microsoft gave me , no error code just " this is a wrong key" Help will be appreciated
July 2nd, 2009 8:58pm

It's along shot but possibly you used a beta key from build 7000 onyour RC.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 2nd, 2009 9:27pm

MR - The Beta key will work with the RC. That shouldn't be a problem. There are only a fixed number of keys (as documented in many places) for the Beta/RC cycle. Shaaheen - Take a closer look at your key. Make sure you've got it correctly entered into Windows. Even though they have tried to make them look more distinct, sometimes a letterB can look a lot like a number 8. A letterS can look a lot like a number 5. That would be the most common issue with this kind of thing. If all else fails, go back to the website where you downloaded the RC, and start the download procedure again and get a different key. Copy the product key from the web site and paste each block of 5 characters directly into the activation screen. If you happen to get the same key, hit the refresh button on the browser. It will cough up another one at random.
July 2nd, 2009 10:21pm

Your probably right that a beta keywould work on the RC.There were about six keys for the beta and Iam not %100.00 sure but I remember there was an entirely different set for the RC not that it would make a difference so please disregard this post carry on as you would normally.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 2nd, 2009 10:29pm

Thanks a LOT. I was able to activate with a new key. My first key was BAAAD no matter how I tried. Thanks again.
July 2nd, 2009 11:51pm

Before you go please do tell where you aquired the first nonfunctional key?
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 2nd, 2009 11:54pm

Microsoft sent me the key as part of download , and I even did a copy paste but to no avail, very strange!!
July 2nd, 2009 11:58pm

If it was a RC key that would be quite odd.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 3rd, 2009 12:01am

yep, windows 7 rc 64 bit.
July 3rd, 2009 12:02am

I have a laptop and an old desktop both running the RC 7100, downloaded and installed from the Microsoft site. I have the Activation code printed from the site. Today 8/11/2009 both machines are showing that they are not activated. I entered the code and it will not take it. Showing a "data error" I even went out and got a new code off the site and get the same response. I am sure both were activated initially. I also have a 64 bit 7100 build on a new desktop and itis still OK. Did Microsoft do an update that is messing with the activation? What options to I have other than reinstall or downgrade. I have purchased 2 copies of the final version but expected these to run through 2010based on the information I read.Dave
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 11th, 2009 7:18pm

Can you run the command "slmgr /dlv" and post an image of the result?And while your at it run the command "systeminfo" and paste the result?Also can you run the command "slmgr /ato" and report the error code?(please omit private data)Is there a doctor in the house?
August 11th, 2009 7:29pm

OK, I have them as BMP's how do you post them in here?http://web.citcom.net/~labwizard/error.htmlsee them here
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 11th, 2009 8:16pm

I had the same problem and solved it. Use help and type activate windows. It will give you the window that has the place for your key. Go to where you download the rc 7100 and there will be a key to copy. Paste the key on the window where they want you to put the key. This worked like magic for me. Hope you have the same experience.
August 12th, 2009 12:16am

Sorry, that does not work. The validation incomplete site DOES however say that if you are running windows RC "you are seeing this message because the product is not yet available for purchase". Which is nice but why did they say it was good until 2010?
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 12th, 2009 12:57am

Try one more thing. Go to the download site select the 64 bit .iso and write down the key it gives youthen abort the download.Type "slmgr /upk" to remove your old key if any is installed.Type "slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx" subsituting value x for the new key.Type "slmgr /ato" to activate.
August 12th, 2009 2:17am

That too failed. I finally did a clean reinstall on the destop and it took the validation, the original product key I had been trying. This laptop is still showing 2 days left, it will not take either a 32 or 64 bit product key. Is it possible to do a "repair" or "reinstall" where it will go through the steps to fix and revalidate without blowing away my other files?
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 12th, 2009 4:44pm

I'm probably way off base, but I'm think I'm seeing a connection. Did you format+partition using Win7, or via 3rd party software?
August 12th, 2009 4:57pm

All done using Win 7.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 12th, 2009 8:59pm

Just as a FYI, I solved the problem. As I had recently upgraded my laptop to W7 I figured that (reading other forums) that some "Daemon" program someone installed caused the same problem, maybe something installed caused the error. The only "non-standard" software I had installed was for a Cisco/Linksys Music Bridge so I uninstalled that and the "activation" showed back up. Strange, that though it had been activated initially upon install, other software would render it as "not activated". Now the kicker is, the older 32bit desktop also had it installed (so I'm guessing that was why that one also crashed) and,my 64bit newer desktopalso has it installed BUT, it is validated fine. Go figure!Thanks to all that tried to help.
August 13th, 2009 1:10am

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics