Serial Number Not Found message at boot

[Tuliolla]

Hi

Just last night Serial I got "Serial Number Not Found" message at boot followed by  " Windows 7 Compilation 7601 this windows copy is not genuine".

I tried to insert the product key of the label of the notebook but that didn't solve the problem.

The Nootbook is a HP Compaq presario CQ61 Notebook PC (CQ61-325SP)

S/N C NF 9376 MZL and I am running Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1

Pentium (R) Dual-core CPU T4300 @ 2.10 GHz.

Could you please help me

Best regards Helena Lopes

[DavidPK]

Hi Helena,

Shut down the notebook. 

Tap away at the esc key as soon as you start the notebook to enter the Start-up Menu, then select f10 to enter the Bios Menu.

Does the entry next to Serial No. look correct?

Is it showing just consecutive numbers ( ie. 123456789 ) or 00A?

Regards,

DP-K

[Tuliolla]

Hi Dadid

Thanks.

I just did what you said and below the serial nember on in front of the UUID Number it shows 00000000-0000-0000-000000000000.

Best regards 

Helena

[DavidPK]

Hi Helena,

This missing information in the bios is what's causing the error message at boot and also responsible for the 'Windows 7 Not Genuine' message.

The information needs to be re-tattooed onto the bios chip which requires a dmi tool - my best suggestion is to contact HP and arrange for this to be carried out at an authorised service centre.

If you live in the US, contact HP Here.

If you are in another part of the world, start Here.

Regards,

DP-K

[Tuliolla]

Thank you David

I just made a contact with HP Portugal the country I live.

They said that they no longer support my notebook and the only possible solution is to try to get another windows 7 licence.

On the other hand the guy from Hp Portugal said that maybe I could find a solution on this forum.

From what I read a dmi tool could fix my problem.

Would you advise me to do this procedure?

Where can I get this dmi tool?

Thank you 

Best Regards 

Helena

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi Helena,

Regarding the dmi tool, there are no legitimate sources where this can be downloaded ( it's an internal HP tool ).  That's not to say you won't find versions of this application available if you search, it's just that I'm not comfortable recommending any.

There is however another option I would definitely suggest trying, which is to create your own retail Windows 7 disc, use this to install a clean version of Windows 7 and then use the 25 character Product Key on your COA label to activate the OS.

You can do this as follows, but first make sure you back-up all your personal files etc to external media.

Before trying the following, make sure you can still read the 25 Character Product Activation key on your Windows COA label ( 5 blocks of 5 alpha/numeric sets ).

An example of a COA Label can be seen Here.

You can create a Windows 7 installation disc yourself using another PC - just download the correct Disc Image ( this must be the same version that originally came with your notebook - this is listed as Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit ) from the link below and use an application such as ImgBurn ( Note: You may want to de-select the additional software offerings during the installation of ImgBurn ) to burn the ISO correctly to a blank DVD - a guide on using ImgBurn to write an ISO to a disc is Here.  The Windows Image source is Digital River.

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64 bit.

Boot the notebook from the installation disc you've just created - when you get to part where you see the Install button, choose the Custom ( advanced ) option and for each listed partition, click on it to highlight and then click on Delete until you are left with just one entry for 'Unallocated Space'.

Then continue installing Windows.

Enter the Windows activation key found on the COA Label when requested and when the installation has completed, use the 'Phone Method' detailed in the link below to activate the OS - this method supported by Microsoft and is popular with people who just want a clean installation of Windows 7 without the additional software load normally bundled with OEM installations.

http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/how-to-activate-windows-7-by-phone.aspx

Additional drivers and software you may need can be found Here.

Best regards,

DP-K

[Tuliolla]

Hi David

Thank you for your help.

I understand what you said about the dmi tool but I did tried that way and I solved the serial number problem.

The message about windows not being genuine did not diseapear.

Could be the absence of the UUID number that shows only zero numbers?

Is there  a way I could get  back my UUID?

Best regards

Helena

[Tuliolla]

Hi David

I would like for all your help.

The problem is fixed after I followed all the instrutions you sent me.

I did had a problem with product key because there was "P" that looked a "F". I got lucky.

The windows is now in english and not in Portugues but for me that is no probleme.

Best regards

[DavidPK]

Hi Helena,

You're welcome and really good to hear it's Ok

All the best,

DP-K