The Key on the bottom is for the install provided by a manufacturer. It will not work with another OEM download or disk.

So you need to get the manufacturer's replacement recovery DVD or license the new OEM install. ... Thinkpads_User

So I cannot  install an OS now - as I do not have the DVD that came with the laptop - I reinstalled the OS from this disk, so I do not have the recovery utility.

http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/HTD7C02140000R01.htm

I do have the partition with the HDD recovery folder on it.  But no way of accessing it.


Should I try to download the utility, then use that to try and reset to factory settings?

1) " using a downloaded OEM Disk.  "
There are no legal OEM downloads

2) The Product Codes on OEM stickers are not valid for installation they are just proof of authenticity of an OEM software installation.

Contact your system's manufacturer for the correct media and/or check for a manufacturer installed recovery partition on the hard drive.

>>> Should I try to download the utility, then use that to try and reset to factory settings?

Yes, you should try that. Be aware that if that fails, it could prevent you from recovering any data, so you want to recover data before going ahead.

.... Thinkpads_User

You have the OEM disk, you need the Retail disk. You can download this online from many torrent sites. It isn't illegal if you use your own product key.

There are 4 different types of disks I think:

OEM
Retail
Consumer-Upgrade
Consumer-Full

Thanks Jeff, just what I thought.

I'm trying to download a retail disk, if not - then I'll try to create a recovery disk, or use the utility.  I still have the recovery partition in tact.

Will report back, thanks.

You cannot use the key on the bottom for any non-Manufacturer disk. So you need to use the recovery methods. .... Thinkpads_User

The error you are stating comes back as Key is in use.  It's not a wrong cd type problem.  Just follow the following steps from this post to get to where you call in ur activation.

You can reactivate your genuine Windows Vista installation by performing the following:

1. Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box type in:  slui.exe 4

2. Press the Enter key on your keyboard.

3. Select your Country.

4. Follow the instructions for phone activation (no charge).

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.

Good Luck HTH

I don't think you can activate one OEM install with the key from a different OEM install. Also the key on any computer is just a vendor key. It is not the OEM key you find when you install from Recovery Media. .... Thinkpads_User

This is turning into a nightmare.

Can anyone shed some light as to why the repair your computer options is not available to me.

http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/HTD1303440001R01.htm

Pressing 0 on start does not work.

There is no repair my computer option, so I cannot access the recovery option.  

Thanks

This is the worst time I have ever had with a laptop - this is a joke.

Can someone please tell me why;

http://www.ehow.com/how_5766144_restore-satellite-laptop-factory-disc.html

That does not work..  I do not have a repair me link when hitting F8.

I cannot hit 0 and bring up the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility from the recovery partition - even though the recovery partition is fine.  I hit 0 and nothing happens.  I have no repair options, anywhere yet I still have the recovery partition.  What use is it if I cannot bloody access it.

What can I do?  Been on this for hours now, its getting annoying.

>>> Can someone please tell me why... <-- Most likely because the recovery partition was damaged somehow. They do get damaged (seen that before), and in your case, perhaps in your install of a different OEM disk (first post).

You really need to contact Toshiba to get you going here. ... Thinkpads_User

Ok, will do - thanks Thinkpads.  Although, I do know that all the data on the D: drive has been left alone, but still it could have been damaged.  I certainly think that installing the OEM version has removed the repair function.

I find it unbelievable that software they tell you to download to create a recovery disk does not even have all the fking files - they left out an .exe.  can you believe that.

O.S files are in encrypted format in recovery dvd ...

If your keyboard is not responding to "0," "F1" or "F8."  then Fn lock is enabled in you keyboard...unlock it and then tap 0.




Ded9

Hello guys - thanks for all the information here.

This is the result of my endeavors.   I use a program called Advisor - basically scans the node for all hardware and software showing install updates etc, as well as CD keys for each bit of software; including the OS.  I give these out to each client - just so they have a list of the CD keys for each bit of software included - plus they normally lose the CD keys, which makes it hard for me to install legal copies.

Well, the key I was using, from the Advisor application didn't work - as you can see from my posts above.  Well, upon inspecting the back of the laptop (this is at 2am by this time, I have stinging eyes and rapidly decreasing patients!) I notice that the CD key on the back of the laptop did not match that given by the Advisor - which I had been cutting and pasting into the validation box.

So, I  enter in this key (from the sticker on the back of the laptop) and bang "Activated" ....

Now, this was not the end of the issue.  Where I had been entering in the key from the Advisor software, there was no option to "Activate in a different way" option - there was no way to call MS and get a new key.    After entering in the CD key on the back of the laptop, like I previously mentioned, I got an "activated" as opposed to a "Cannot activate this key..." message.  After the OS has been activated I got message down the bottom right saying "This is not a valid copy of Windows"...  

But, I entered in slmgr 4 and the phone activation wizard started - whereas it was not available before - obviously because the OS was not activated.   Even so, this was now activated but with the "This is not a valid copy".

So, I basically follow the steps and got a new OS key.  So I could use a non specific OEM   copy of Vista (not from Toshiba) with the CD key on the back of the laptop.   Overall, what did I learn.   Always, always use the factory default HD recovery option - never,never install a different OEM version because its quicker.

Thanks.