I get invalid license number message

JTACER
JTACER Member Posts: 7 New User

The hard drive on my Acer Aspire 4720Z got corrupted so I had to reformat the drive.  I did not have a recovery disk so I obtained a generic Vista Home Premium install disk and reloaded the OS from scratch.  The system is functioning fine except that when I try to enter the OS license # on the tag on the bottom of the computer it says that it "does not appear to be a valid Vista Home Premium License". So my system will cease to function in 28 days.  Has anyone encountered this and know how to fix it. Thanks.          

Answers

  • Tabbiekatz
    Tabbiekatz Member Posts: 760 Mr. Fixit WiFi Icon

    Sounds like the OS that you put on was not the OS that was put on at the factory. Sounds like you need recovery disks for your computer. Those will have the correct OS on it.

  • JTACER
    JTACER Member Posts: 7 New User

    Both the original OS and what I installed were Vista Home Premium and that is what the license sticker on the pc says.

     

    I don't have a recovery disc and Acer won't give me one because the pc is more than 2 years old. Great customer support huh. Makes me want to buy a few more pc's from them!

     

    Before anyone gets on me for not making a recovery disc, it is actually my 79 year old father's pc I am trying to recover.

  • Tommy-Acer
    Tommy-Acer VIP Posts: 6,317 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon

    The OEM certificate attached to the bottom of the unit will NOT work.  It is attached to the system and is part of the factory load directly from Acer.  It cannot be used to reinstall with a retail copy of Windows Vista.

     

    You should be using the Certificate of Authenticity that came with the discs when you purchased the retail version of Windows Vista Home Premium that you are attempting to install.

  • JTACER
    JTACER Member Posts: 7 New User

    turns out the sticker on the bottom was a bit rubbed out and I was reading one of the letters wrong.

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