Trouble Activating Vista

[Compman55]

Dell Vostro 1520 which shipped with windows vista.

Laptop included 2 factory dell vista discs, because the prior owner could not get it to activate. Here is the problem, the vista product tag on the bottom is faded out, and when trying to activate, it says invalid key. I tried both CD's. On all the dells I worked on, you could always install without a key as long as it was the correct dell OS for that model.

For example, our dell optiplex 380's will be activated automatically as long as a genine windows 7 dell disc is used.

Any idea;s?

 

[Bubbaleone]

You're correct because you don't need the product key or the product ID if reinstalling the operating system that was delivered with the computer. It's activated using the SLP (System Locked Preinstallation) code contained in the BIOS and the matching XrML digital license on the OEM Windows Vista installation disk/s. Which begs the questions; Are you certain those Vista recovery disks are the ones originally supplied with this 1520? Is there any possibility that XP was originally installed on this machine (in which case the SLP and Vista XrML digital license probably wouldn't match)?

.

 

[Compman55]

The sticker does say vista. I have the original vista disc that shipped with the laptop, then the prior owner orderd a new fresh disc from dell as they though the disc was faulty.

I do not see signs of the laptop being opened up, so I do not beleive the MB was replaced. I am confused.

 

[ViRGE]

Continuing off of Bubbaleone's train of thought, is it possible this system isn't setup for SLP in the first place? I.E. it has to be activated via the key on the COA? Or is it just loading SLP data and failing activation?

 

[C1]

All decent notebooks I have owned worked as described by Bubbaleone.

Is it possible that someone created the issue by flashing/upgrading the BIOS? (Dont know even if such a thing is possible or allowed on a proprietary machine. I never mess with stuff like that as Ive never had to.)

 

[Ketchup]

Does the machine offer a workaround (call Microsoft)? I have encountered an issue similar to this once before, and a call to Microsoft was all it took, since I did have an activation code. This was with an HP machine with XP.

 

[Matt1970]

What a coincidence. I just restored an HP DV9000 from the recovery partition with Vista Home Premium and it wanted the product key. I suppose the SLIC on the motherboard could get Fubar'd.

 

[bruceb]

See this link for instructions:

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/...y-preinstalled-with-dell-vostro-notebook-1520

Computers, which are built by large manufactures that come with Windows Pre-Installed, come with two (2) Product Keys:
A) OEM SLP: This key comes pre-installed in Windows, when it comes from the Factory. This key is geared to work with the OEM Bios Flag found only on that Manufacturer's computer hardware. So when Windows was installed using the OEM SLP key (at the factory) Windows looks at the motherboard and sees the proper OEM Bios Flag (for that Manufacturer and that version of Windows) 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 (sush as if the OEM SLP key stops self-activating for whatever reason). 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 Windows 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.

 

[bruceb]

Stupid computer did a duplicate post .. sorry

 

[Matt1970]

Stupid computer did a duplicate post .. sorry

Because of your avatar, you are excused.

 

[Compman55]

The downside to this is that the COA sticker is faded out and worn. There is no way to read it.

 

[bruceb]

What you may need to do, is go into the BIOS and see the Service Tag .. then go to Dell.com and enter the Service Tag on the Support Page. The system configuration will show what that computer was shipped with. You can then determine which version of Vista (or whatever it came with) should be on it. I would then call Dell and ask them if they can replace the COA label since yours is not readable.

See this link for additional help (you will need to scroll the list for the version of Vista you have)

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/2581-Vista-OEM-SLP-keys

 

[Compman55]

Problem solved. The service tag shows windows Xp as the OS that shipped, but has some verbage of optional media windows vista bus os w/ key or somthing like that. So it appears the SLP was loaded for windows xp but the prior owner ordered vista as optional. Wierd.

 

[TeknoBug]

Problem solved. The service tag shows windows Xp as the OS that shipped, but has some verbage of optional media windows vista bus os w/ key or somthing like that. So it appears the SLP was loaded for windows xp but the prior owner ordered vista as optional. Wierd.

^ that was a very similar issue when I had my Dell Inspiron years ago, it came with XP but also had Vista (basic) CDs and gave me issues installing.

 

[kh4130]

I'm really suprised that the Vista DELL OEM disk will not work on your computer.

Typically if a Dell computer has drivers for an OS (Win7/Vista) then that model computer will work with the OEM disk.
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/vostro-1520
Your computer has Win7 & Vista listed. According to my experience it should work with a LEGIT Dell OEM Win7 or Vista disk. However, you might want to update you BIOS before doing the install.

I have never used the product keys on the Dell computers. OEM disk should activate from BIOS as stated above.

 

[Underclocked]

I wonder if he could use RW Everything to check to see if there is a key embedded in bios?