Dumb Windows 7 key install question...

I'm embarrassed even for asking this question (and for having to)...

Now that I have my T420, my T400 is going to a relative. I ordered the free Windows 7 discs after I got my system, as I qualified for the upgrade offer from Lenovo. They are somewhere in the house --somewhere (I never used them, as I had my Technet subscription by then and preferred to use Windows 7 Enterprise). I will probably find them in two weeks, after I need them, and when I'm least likely to be looking for them.

In the meantime, I'm downloading Windows 7 Pro SP1 (I'd rather use it anyway, as it has the service pack integrated and would be a clean install) from my Technet account. Does anyone know if there is a way to pull the Windows 7 key from the T400 BIOS, or if there is a way I can phone activate, as I don't have a Windows 7 sticker on my ThinkPad?

 

Take a look here, ABR (Activation Backup & Restore)

 

Unfortunately, I don't have an existing install to backup activation from.

 

ABR will pull the activation key from your T400. Did your T420 not come with an OS?

 

My bad, didn't read carefully. But.. you lost me, for all I know, Windows key is not stored in the BIOS.

^^ So ABR will pull the key from the BIOS?

 

You most certainly can't use the activation key for a T400 on a T420 (or any other Thinkpad, for that matter) - you'd need to use factory restore discs to install Win7 on the T420, backup the activation from THAT, before restoring it to your T420.

 

As I understand it, OP wants to reinstall T400 with a fresh OS using the original T400 key (before T400 goes to a realtive)

 

I'm confused. It sounds to me LoneWolf wants to reinstall Windows 7 and needs a way to re-validate his install.

When I got my T420, I replaced my hdd and did a clean install of Windows 7. I used ABR to pull the activation key from the t420 and used it again to restore the activation key of W7 after I finished installing it to the new ssd. And I used W7 on a usb stick and not the installation disk.

So, if this is what you are trying to do then give ABR a shot.

 

Correct. My T420 is just fine. I'm not attempting to use its likcense key for anything.

I'm simply trying to get the T400 reinstalled. I'd rather not use one of my TechNet keys if there is a way to retrieve the T400 Windows key from its BIOS. The system is legally licensed on its own, but since it didn't originally come with Windows 7, it does not have a Windows 7 COA sticker.

 

Search for OPATool. It will install the OEM certificate and license key that you will need. It is not illegal or pirating because it is exactly how Windows ships from OEMs. It will not work for DIY built PCs because the BIOS doesn't have the necessary information in it. This will not pull a key from the BIOS. The key is not stored there anyway.

 

this guy is spot on. when lenovo sent you the free upgrade for windows 7, i'm guessing it didn't come with a key because it was an OEM version of windows that was pre-activated. this means that lenovo used the windows 7 OEM master key for the offline activation.

basically you would need to download the ibm-lenovo certificate, import the cert into windows, then activate with the oem master key.

more info on how to do this can be found below.

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/10370-Windows-7-OEM-SLP-Key-Collection

you can also download the OPATool which automates this process for you.

note that this activation only works for branded computers, eg., dell, lenovo, HP, etc. these OEM computers have a modified BIOS which allows them to activate with a master key.

also only computers that were built within the last 2-3 years can be activated this way. this is because Windows Vista and Win7 computers have the same activation process.

 

Actually, it did come with an individual key:

Lenovo Connections Act Now! – Windows 7 upgrade program ending soon

Don

 

Beavis, sp00n, thanks for this info. Both very useful.

Right now, I actually used a TechNet key temporarily, but tomorrow, I'm going to do a little more work (I'm all configured out on that system for the evening).