I just installed Windows 7 on my MacBook Pro via Boot Camp.
On the activation screen after I carefully entered the key on the label on the DVD case, Windows reported that my product key was not valid.
After trying several times I clicked "skip" with the understanding that I'm going to have to activate it within a month.
I bought a copy Windows labeled "OEM System Builder Pack" off of Amazon. Could that be why it's refusing to activate?
Is it that the OEM version can't be installed on Macs?
Or is it more likely some other reason?
What's the logical next step?
Looking in Control Panel > System and Security > System, at the bottom of the dialog, it says "Three days until automatic activation. Activate Windows now."
Then below that a number labeled "product ID" which is different from the "product key" on the CD case. And a link labeled "change product key".
Based on that, I don't understand the status of my system (activated? will definitely be activated? not possible to activate?) or what Microsoft wants me to do (click on something? If so, what? change the product key?) What do they want from me?
Here's the product page on Amazon, where I purchased the license. The seller was Amazon itself.
As requested by Bon Gart in the comments, here's a pic of the DVD:
Best Answer
If the product key was for OEM Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, meaning if all that is spelled out above the product key on the sticker, then it should have activated with the disc you have shown us.
It is possible (even if unlikely) that you mis-typed the key when you attempted to activate. An 8 instead of a B, or an O instead of a 0, an H instead of a K, etc. I know that's a long shot, but I had to include it on the off chance.
I can positively say that I have successfully activated OEM installer versions of Windows (up through and including several Windows 7 installations) with OEM product keys. Most of them were fresh installs of Windows using the OEM keys on the bottom of laptops, but there were also a mess of desktops in there. In the heady days of Windows XP, I was recycling those keys of dead machines and re-using them. sigh
From everything you describe; the seller, the disc, the product key sticker... it should still activate. You may have to use the phone activation system however. I had to recently, when I used the OEM key from a dead Toshiba, to install Windows 7 on a desktop.
From the Microsoft Article here. I believe this will solve your issue.
At the end, again, providing the OEM key has never been used before, it should activate.
If it does not, then your next call should be to Amazon to exchange this purchase for another of the same. Yes, I would take this to be some kind of fluke. I would describe the issue to them, and rather than demanding a refund I would just ask them to provide another of the same. This will make them more likely to actually just ship it out. They might give you some flak about it being software, etc... just be clear and sure about the fact that Microsoft is repeatedly telling you that it isn't a valid product key.
From what I'm reading, there are plenty of people installing OEM versions of Windows 7 on Macs via Bootcamp... it actually seems quite popular. Most of their posted issues are with attempting to use the same copy for the installation AND a VM installation, and having to activate it twice in that instance. This is NOT the issue you are facing, but I'm including that information because they have no issues with an OEM copy of Windows 7 for the first activation. They run into issues when attempting to install it again, in a VM (or Parallels) and try to activate it a second time on what may (and can) appear to be different hardware. Their first activation (just like yours) works like a charm.
So try the Automated Phone Activation System.