Country-Language Options

You are on the HP Customer Care site in   Russian Federation - English
Do you want to continue on this site?
Continue
--or--
Do you want to change your country and language?
Change
For optimal support information and options, select the country where you purchased your product.
Jump to content

HP Pavilion g6-1350er Notebook PC Troubleshooting

Windows 7 Product Activation

  • PrintPrint
  • Share
This document pertains to HP and Compaq notebook PCs with Windows 7.
To help prevent software piracy, Microsoft requires that Windows 7 is activated before it can be used as full-version software. Most HP notebooks with Windows 7 installed are pre-activated to make it easier for you to set up your notebook. However, if you decide to install a different version of Windows 7 (such as an upgrade to the Enterprise version) or a store-bought copy of Windows 7, you will need to activate it. There may also be situations when Windows prompts you for product activation even though the product has already been activated.

Types of Windows 7 activation

There are two methods for activating Windows 7: Windows Product Activation and System Locked Pre-installation .
  • Windows Product Activation (WPA) sends an installation ID number to Microsoft before Windows is verified and then activated. WPA involves two numbers. One is an Installation ID (generated by entering a Windows 7 product key) that the notebook owner submits to Microsoft, either over the Internet or by phone. The second is a Confirmation ID, assigned by Microsoft, which is used to activate the operating system’s software. This method is used when upgrading or installing Windows 7 from disc (not HP System Recovery).
  • System Locked Pre-Installation (SLP) takes place at the factory. No intervention is required to activate the operating system software before initial use. With SLP-activated systems, most of the computer's hardware can be replaced without needing to re-activate the software through Microsoft.
Back to top

Windows 7 anti-piracy warning

The Windows 7 anti-piracy warning appears periodically if your copy of Windows has not been activated. If you activate Windows 7, the reminder stops appearing.
Figure 1: Windows 7 anti-piracy warning example
Windows 7 anti-piracy warning example
If you have upgraded your computer to Windows 7 from an earlier version of Windows, or you have installed a new copy of Windows 7 on your notebook, this message is normal until you activate the product.
If you are getting the anti-piracy message and your notebook came with Windows 7 pre-installed, then Windows 7 may need to be activated again, or the system needs to be recovered using HP System Recovery, which restores the operating system to its original factory condition.
Back to top

Reasons why Windows 7 may need to be activated again

If your notebook came with Windows 7 pre-installed, the following conditions may cause Windows to require activation through Microsoft:
  • Upgrading Windows.
  • Completing an HP System Recovery after recovering from HP Recovery Discs.
  • Installing certain device drivers and software.
  • Uninstalling certain operating system software or files.
  • Updating the BIOS or installing a new BIOS flash from a company other than HP.
  • Replacing the motherboard with one that does not contain the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version of the BIOS.
Back to top

Windows Activation terms

The following list explains the terms that are used during the activation process:
  • Windows Product Activation (WPA) - Requires a person to unlock the computer before Windows can be used.
  • System Locked Pre-installation (SLP) - No personal intervention is normally required to activate Windows.
  • End-User License Agreement (EULA) - The agreement that consumers of Windows must accept in order to use the Windows product.
  • Certificate of Authenticity (COA) - A proof of ownership identification method to help prove that a product is not counterfeit or copied. It could be in the form of a label that contains a bar code and product identification number.
  • Installation Identification Number - Generated based on the Certificate of Authenticity key entered during Windows setup.
  • Confirmation Identification Number - Number that allows you to complete the activation process.
Back to top

Activate Windows 7 over the Internet

The quickest, and easiest, way to activate your copy of Windows 7 is to do it over the Internet. If you do not have an Internet connection, or if it is inconvenient to make a network connection, see Other ways to activate Windows 7 .
To activate Windows 7 over the Internet:
  1. Connect to the Internet.
  2. Click Start , type system into the search field, and select the System Control Panel application from the search results list.
    Figure 2: System
    System
  3. In the System window, scroll down to Windows activation , then click Change product key .
    Figure 3: Change product key
    Change product key
  4. In the Windows Activation window, select Activate Windows online now .
    Figure 4: Activate Windows online now
    Activate Windows online now
  5. Type the product key into the Product Key field, click Next , and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete activation.
    Figure 5: Type your product key
    Type your product key
    The product key is located on the Certificate of Authenticity label, affixed to the notebook (usually on the bottom) or the Windows 7 disc packaging.
    Figure 6: Product Key on Certificate of Authenticity label
    Product Key on Certificate of Authenticity label
    If you have the Windows 7 disc packaging, see Applying the Windows 7 Upgrade Certificate of Authenticity Label to Your Computer for easy reference in the future.
  6. If product activation was successful, a success screen is shown and Windows 7 setup continues. You are done.
    Figure 7: Windows Activation was successful
    Windows Activation was successful
Once you have successfully activated Windows 7, the System application in the Control Panel indicates Windows is activated.
For more detailed information about Windows 7 activation, refer to the Microsoft TechNet article Windows Activation Technologies in Windows 7 (in English).
Back to top

Other ways to activate Windows 7

Other ways that you can activate Windows 7 are explained below.
Show all | Hide all
If Windows 7 activation over the Internet is not possible, activate the product by contacting Microsoft over the phone.
NOTE:When you contact Microsoft, do not request a “new” activation code. If you do, Microsoft will direct you towards purchasing a new operating system. It is not necessary to replace your operating system; you should simply want to reactivate your existing installation.
To reactivate Windows 7 over the phone:
  1. Disconnect your notebook from the network (or turn off your Internet connection).
  2. Click Start , type system into the search field, and select the System Control Panel application from the search results list.
    Figure 8: System
    System
  3. In the System window, scroll down to Windows activation , then click Change product key .
    Figure 9: Change product key
    Change product key screen.
  4. In the Windows Activation window, click Show me other ways to activate .
    Figure 10: Show me other ways to activate
    Show me other ways to activate
  5. Click Use the automated phone system .
    Figure 11: Use the automated phone system
    Use the automated phone system
  6. On the Click the nearest location menu, select the most appropriate country/region and then click Next .
  7. Write down the installation ID and confirmation ID, then call the number provided in the Activate Windows Now window.
  8. Follow the instructions from the telephone system and write down the confirmation ID numbers.
  9. Enter the confirmation ID numbers into fields A through H, in the same sequence as the telephone system provided them. When done, click Next .
  10. If product activation was successful, a success screen is shown and you are done. If product activation is not successful, you can try to activate over the Internet, or you can attempt to perform a System Recovery.
Once you have successfully activated Windows 7, the System application in the Control Panel indicates Windows is activated.
If your HP notebook came with Windows 7 installed, System Recovery can be used as an alternative to performing either an online or telephone activation. This restores Windows 7 to its original factory condition, which is pre-activated by default.
To perform an HP System Recovery, turn on the computer and immediately press the F11 key repeatedly.
For computers sold in the United States that are being used for the first time, the recovery process may take a little more than fifteen minutes. For computers sold in other countries/regions and for computers that experience the message after a recovery, System Recovery may take longer than 45 minutes. For more information about System Recovery, please see the HP support document Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) .
After performing a System Recovery, or re-installing Windows 7, it should not be necessary to repeat the activation process. There are several different recovery situations to consider.
  • If the notebook shipped with Windows 7 and the Recovery Manager is functional, then use the Recovery Manager to restore the notebook to its default factory conditions. Windows 7 is automatically activated.
  • If the notebook shipped with Windows 7 but the Recovery Manager is not functional, use the Recovery disc to restore the notebook to its default factory conditions. Windows 7 is automatically activated.
  • If the notebook shipped with an earlier version of Windows but included an upgrade disc for Windows 7 provided by HP, you should recover the notebook back to its default factory conditions and then upgrade again to Windows 7. Windows 7 is automatically activated.
  • If the notebook shipped with an earlier version of Windows and you upgraded or custom-installed a full retail version of Windows 7, you should use the Microsoft DVD to re-install Windows 7. Windows 7 is automatically activated.
  • If the notebook shipped with Windows 7 and the Recovery Manager is not functional, but you have not created the recovery discs, you can order a Windows 7 Recovery DVD. It may be necessary to contact Microsoft to activate Windows 7.
Back to top

See also

Microsoft Product Activation Web site (in English)
Back to top
NOTE:One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside the HP Web site.

    HP Pavilion g6-1350er Notebook PC

  • Not your product?
    • HP Pavilion g6-1350er Notebook PC

    More for this product

    HP Consumer Support Forum