Computers that come pre-installed with Windows from large manufacturers usually come with two Product Keys.
OEM SLP: This is the key that came in Windows (from the factory). It works by connecting to a BIOS flag (the SLIC table) found only on
computers from that Manufacturer. It also checks for the existence of proper matching licenses in the OS itself. Once it sees both, it self-activates every time the machine is rebooted.
COA SLP: This is the key seen on the sticker located on the side, bottom or in the battery compartment of your machine. This key is for use if the OEM SLP self-activation
stops working for whatever reason.
Your problem is that for some reason, the system is unable to properly read the SLIC table in the BIOS, which is required to be able to self-activate the OEM_SLP Key with which the computer came
installed. (In this case, because you reinstalled with Retail media)
The normal solution is to change the Key to the one on your COA sticker - but you say that you are unable to read the Key there.
In such circumstances, the only things you can do are
1) recreate the Licensing Store - in case it's a minor software problem causing the misread (won't work here)
2) try updating the BIOS to the latest available Vista-compliant one, from the manufacturer's website (won't work here)
3) Contact the manufacturer direct, and see if they can provide assistance to correct the SLIC table (won't work here)
4)
a reformat and reinstall using the manufacturer's recovery media
5) purchase a new license for Windows (or a new computer)
