Need Windows Key Help

[Passerby1]

Well, though it says that I've been slowly upgrading this PC as needs and budget allow. And that is where this problem comes in. I am attempting to validate the windows key which came with my machine to no avail. Windows tech support told me the key is being blocked by manufacturer (HP). So, I am here to find out how to get a key that is almost seven years old unblocked because I upgraded the hard drive and want to keep using my computer and Win 7.

[Grzwacz]

Hi

Upgrading the HDD should not cause Windows activation problems.

You must have changed other components.

Please provide more details.

Tom

[Passerby1]

Hello Tom,

Other than the HDD being replaced with a SDD and the Video Card being upgarded along with the power supply and related parts, there are no changes to the hardware. The motherboard remains factory. The Video Card and related upgrades to the power supply are all old at this point, having occurred roughly 3-4 years ago. They have not cuased issues prior to this.

The SDD was completely fresh- the HDD was not backed up onto it. Windows was installed via key and disk; the HDD remains in the casing, but it is entirely disconnected from the rest of the machine and there is no connection between the SDD and it.

The SDD is the only new element that appears able to be related to this problem. 

[Grzwacz]

Hi Passerby1

There is no valid reason why Microsoft will not activate Windows 7 in your circumstance.

Please refer to this Microsoft Support document on how to activate W7 when you are having a problem.

The W7 product key should be on your chassis.

Tom

[Passerby1]

I tried. It refuses to activate, and after a remote session with their tech support I was told that the key is being blocked by the manufacturer of the computer, which would be HP in this case. 

Just to be sure, I attempted to manually input the product key and was given error code 0xC004E003 The Software Licensing Service reported that license evaluation had failed. 

Worth noting, the product key was obtained directly from the computer while the HDD was hooked up. 

[Grzwacz]

Hi Passerby1

You got me.

I have no idea why you cannot activate W7.

You could try Heidoc. But your HP W7 product key may not work.

Tom

[Passerby1]

Out of curiosity, could the failure have anything to do with Windows never being uninstalled from the original HDD?

[Grzwacz]

Hi

No.

Tom

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

> Worth noting, the product key was obtained directly from the computer while the HDD was hooked up. 

Definitely worth noting.

The original Installation Media included a product-key that is common to every HP Pavilion HPE h8-1124 Desktop PC.

If you use the original media, that product-key is automatically used, and Windows will activate with that key.

I presume that you used some software to extract that key directly from the 'C:\Windows' folder.

Wen you tried to enter that key,  using some other Installation Media, you have found out that is "blocked" -- it is not allowed to be used in that context.

Your computer should have a Windows decal, on the outside of the computer's case, showing a different, and unique, product-key.

So, access: Software and driver results for: HP Pavilion HPE h8-1124 Desktop PC

to see:

Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB
USB-Windows 7 64-bit Recovery Kit
System Recovery Kit for Consumer Notebook
Order Media
N/A
N/A
Sep 7, 2011

to purchase a copy of the original factory-installed software.

On that web-site, click "Order Media" to make the purchase.

P.S. In Windows 7, the "Windows Product Activation" process gives you "points" each time you change/upgrade the hardware after the hardware was initially activated:

* 3 points for changing the network adapter

* 1 point for changing RAM

* 1 point for changing the CD/DVD

* 1 point for changing the CPU

* >1 point for changing the motherboard

and so on.  If the sum of your points is "too large", Microsoft demands that you repeat the activation, because your computer has become "too different" from the original, under the License Agreement, to which you clicked "I agree" when you installed Windows 7.

So, the Other Person is partially correct -- by itself, changing the disk-drive does not score enough points to trigger the re-activation.

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[Grzwacz]

Hi

Well, thank you for the "other person is partially correct" reference.

Whatever that suggests.

I would like to thank you for your continued support in this forum. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Tom