HP Support Forums

Join in the conversation.

Search the Community
turn on suggestions Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
This HP Community is for Customer to Customer Product Support. First Time Here? Check Out Videos on How to Search, Register, Post and More.

Vista key invalid for activation? (998 Views)
Reply
Reply
Topic Options
itgoeson Student
Student
itgoeson
Posts: 1
Registered: ‎06-09-2010
Message 1 of 3 (998 Views)
Report Inappropriate Content

Vista key invalid for activation?

‎06-09-2010 03:29 PM

My HP laptop got a virus and I had to reformat the hard drive.  Now my Vista product key won't work (says "Windows Vista Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation").  I'm using the key stuck to the bottom of the laptop, so I'm not sure how it could be invalid.  Who can I contact to figure this out?

 

Thank you!

0
Reply
0
Please use plain text.
 
Teacher
Teacher
MattM
Posts: 192
Registered: ‎05-29-2010
Message 2 of 3 (987 Views)
Report Inappropriate Content

Re: Vista key invalid for activation?

[ Edited ]

‎06-09-2010 07:42 PM - edited ‎06-09-2010 07:45 PM

The key on the bottom of the laptop is an OEM key, you need either a recovery dvd or an OEM install disc of windows vista.

you can try hitting F11 when you first turn on your laptop to get into recovery mode, that contains a pre-activated windows vista.

________________________________________________________
HP Elite h8-1070T Intel Core i7 2600 12GB RAM AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB (Gaming)
HP DC7900CMT Intel Core 2 Duo 3Ghz 4GB RAM Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Workstation)
HP XW4200 Intel Pentium 4 HT 3.6GHz 4GB RAM Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Home File Server)
0
Reply
0
Please use plain text.
 
Distinguished Professor Distinguished Professor
Distinguished Professor
HaggisCat
Posts: 4,166
Registered: ‎12-28-2009
Message 3 of 3 (981 Views)
Report Inappropriate Content

Re: Vista key invalid for activation?

‎06-09-2010 08:04 PM

Right click on "Computer" and go to properties. Near the bottom of the page you will see "change product key" click on that and enter your key from the bottom of the laptop. Windows will not accept the key and at this point it should give you the option to reactivate it by phone. It's an automated phone system to reactivate your original key.

0
Reply
0
Please use plain text.