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  Hi deanoabs,
  
  Computers, which are built by large manufactures that come with Vista Pre-Installed, come with two (2) Product Keys:

  A)   OEM SLP: This key comes pre-installed in Vista, when it comes from the Factory. This key is geared to work with the special instructions found only on that Manufacturer's computer hardware. So when Vista was installed using the OEM SLP key (at the factory) Vista looks at the motherboard and sees the special instructions and Self-Activates. (that's why you did not need to Activate your computer after you brought it home)

   

  B)    COA SLP: This is the Product key that you see on the sticker on the side (or bottom) of your computer. It is a valid product key, but should only be used in limited situations. The key must be activated by Phone. (Note: All manufacturers that use the OEM SLP system are required by contract to include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker, that has a COA SLP key, on the computer)

   

     Your Vista is using an OEM SLP key, but (for whatever reason) cannot see the special instructions in the computer’s motherboard and is unable to Self-Activate.

    To fix the issue, you will need to change out the OEM SLP key with the COA SLP key.  The normal way to do this is to click the ‘Start’ button, right-click ‘Computer’, select ‘Properties’ and then click ‘Change Product Key’ (located in the lower right-hand side of the window). Enter the COA SLP key and follow the instructions in the Change Product Key Wizard.

   

  Alternate steps to change the product key

   

  1)    Click the Start button

  2)    Type: slui.exe 3 and hit the Enter key

  3)    Type in the Product key from the sticker on your computer

  4)    Click the Next button.

  5)    You will be asked if want to Activate, click ok

  6)    It will attempt to Activate by the internet and will return an Invalid Key error (this is ok, continue to step 7)

  7)    Click the Start button

  8)    Type: slui.exe 4 and hit the Enter key

  9)    Select your location in the drop down menu and click the Next button

  10) The next screen provides the number to call to Activate by Phone

   

  NOTE: when you call that number, you will first hear an Automated Voice. If the Automated Voice gives you an option to talk to a Live Activation Rep., select that option. If not, do not enter any numbers. This should force the Automated Voice to transfer you to a Live Activation Rep. Trying to Activate thru the Automated Voice will not work, in your case; only thru the Live Activation Rep. will your Activation be successful.
  
  Thank you,
  Darin MS

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  • Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Wednesday, May 6, 2009 12:06 AM

  Wednesday, May 6, 2009 12:05 AM
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  hi
  
  thanks for your fast reply although there is a problem. its worn out a bit on the sticker i can only make out parts of it. i dont know what to do because i tried to make it out before but is there another way i can find out what it is????? if not what can i do?
  

  Wednesday, May 6, 2009 12:09 AM
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  hi as i said before i understand what i have to do but the label which has the product key is faded. you see im on my laptop and the label is at the bottomand its faded away. however i got what i thought was the product key however it seems it is wrong.i know some parts of it is definatly right but some are not. is there any way you can help me regarding this as i need the product key on the label to continue. if you want i could take a picture of the label on the laptop and parts of what i know is right.
  

  Wednesday, May 6, 2009 12:26 AM
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  Hi deanoads,
  
    Unfortunatly, I have no way of knowing what product key was on the sticker of that computer. The Product key on the sticker on your computer (known as the COA Sticker) is handled by the Manufacturer of the computer and I recommend contacting them for assistance.
  
  Sorry I couldn't be more help,
  Darin MS 

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  Wednesday, May 6, 2009 12:34 AM
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  thanks for your help anyways

  Wednesday, May 6, 2009 12:35 AM
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  hi,
  
  i contacted HP and told them everything however they have told me that the COA sticker was stuck on the back of my laptop and they dont keep copies. They also said seeing as this is a microsoft problem you guys should be the ones to give me another product key or give me my original product key. I have the email from HP if you want to read it they say:
  
  

  Hello Dean, 
  
   
  
  Thank you for contacting Hewlett-Packard's Commercial Solutions Center. 
  
   
  
  This is in response to your e-mail regarding the unit 6720s notebook.
  
   
  
  I understand that you are referring to the Product Key of Windows.
  
   
  
  I am sorry to hear that you had to experience this issue and I deeply regret the inconvenience caused. I also appreciate your continued patience and cooperation in getting the issue resolved.
  
   
  
  Dean, please be informed that the Product Key given on the COA Sticker under the unit is provided by Microsoft before shipping the unit and this is pasted under the unit by HP before shipping.
  
   
  
  HP does not have this number or a spare Product Key. Only Microsoft could provide you another Product Key. I am not sure why Microsoft informed you to contact HP. 
  
   
  
  For your kind information, Product Key is for Windows and this is a product of Microsoft where HP does not have any control. 
  
   
  
  Therefore, in order to resolve the issue, please contact Microsoft.
  
   
  
  Once again, thank you for contacting Hewlett-Packard's Commercial Solutions Center and have a wonderful day.
  
   
  
  Regards
  
   
  
  Siva 
  
  Technical Support Engineer - PSG 

  
  Now i contacted you and you told me to contact them and they said go back to you so im getting highly annoyed and just want this situation resolved. At the end of the day this is microsofts problem. It is your software what is mucking up my whole computer and if you still cant help me i would appreciate reasons why this is not Microsofts fault and why this message appeared in the first place even though everything is legit.
  
  I know you yourself have nothing to do with this but i would appreciate it if we could get this resolved fast as all i need is a product key.
  
  thanks,
  
  dean

  Thursday, May 7, 2009 9:19 PM
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  Dean,
  
  Curious did you recieve the original OEM Recovery Media software @ the time you purchased the computer? Sometimes OEM manufacturers will either provide the media or provide instructions as how you can make your own OEM Recovery Media disc. In turn this should have been done immediately upon setting up the computer. Should you not have the Recovery Media please contact Compaq and request them to send you the Recovery Media for the particular model you own. 
  
  
  

  Contact HP 

  Worldwide

  http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html

  HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set

   

  http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07143&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN
  
  
  
  Hopefully this will help Dean.
  
  
  Thank you,
  
  Stephen

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  Thursday, May 7, 2009 10:35 PM
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  Hi,
  
  Thanks for your fast reply i appreciate that alot, erm i do have recovery installed as a seperate partition upon start up. Never used it before so i didnt try clicking it. Also i have a vague idea of its use and that if i use it i will lose any data which is saved. I have alot of stuff on here which will proberly go. The thing is i know i can save them to an external storage device but i got alot of uni work on here scattered all over.
  
  Regardless of this if i save my work then click F12 at teh beginning for recovery what should i do??? because im guessing i would have to go back to a point in time before this stuff occured???
  
  Once again i appreciate you taking the time with helping me.
  
  thanks
  
  dean

  Thursday, May 7, 2009 10:44 PM
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  Dean, 

  Unfortunately since you can't see the product key from the "COA" sticker you would have to reformat the computer using the recovery media. Yes this would mean backing up all your data. Sounds like your computer's hard drive has two logical partions probably a C:/ and D:/ .  Prior executing the recovery partion I would also back up the second logical partion containing the recovery information to your external drive. Also I would highly recommend taking time and purging unwanted data from your computer. Next you could create one folder and say locate it on the hard drive. Inside this folder create various sub-folders labeling them accordingly with the data you will store within them. Yes I do understand this will take a lot of valuable time. We all will experience this once or more in our lives. The bright side is once you have a file structure established you will be able to locate things quicker and be able to work faster. Also I mentioned creating one top level folder then establishing sub-folders inside. Now when you deem it neccessary to back-up all you have to do is simply grab that one folder and copy/paste it to your external drive. It is just one of many ideas for file management :-).  Hopefully this has been helpful and sorry there isn't a different or simplier solution. 

  Take care Dean and thank you.

   

  Stephen

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  • Marked as answer by Stephen Holm Thursday, May 7, 2009 11:39 PM

  Thursday, May 7, 2009 11:39 PM
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  thanks for this ill do it later but before i do just have a few questions.
  
  firstly when i go to recovery what will happen like will i lose every file???? or will it go to a set restore point then whatever was there at that time was there and whatever werent wont be.
  
  secondly how do i copy the backup partition??? i know its on the :F drive.
  
  thirdly will i be able to choose what dates to restore my computer or will it choose any day???
  
  Lastly thanks again you have been very helpful but just incase i dont get you again after i do recovery will the message still appear regarding the software being genuine??? also when i finish the recovery what shall i do??
  
  thanks mate for your help
  
  dean

  Thursday, May 7, 2009 11:52 PM