What happens to the OEM license?

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  1. Posts : 188
    Windows 7 Pro
       #1

    What happens to the OEM license?


    My Vista came preinstalled. I've read every page on using the upgrade to do a clean install. I not only have to do some kind of install, I have to put in a new hard drive. Mine is on it's way out. I bought a WD 1TB black, to put it on. The system files are corrupt beyond repair. Believe me I've tried doing 3 in-place repairs with some CD's I borrowed from a friend. Now I'm told the reason the repair fails is because it wasn't done with the OEM version CD. I keep getting told I can't do a clean install of anything on a new hard drive because the OEM on the motherboard won't recognize the new license to activate it, that is unless I buy the full retail version. If I do the upgrade, what license do I use to register with?? And what about this crap about the motherboard???

    I'm so confused my head is spinning. I no longer have the Acer eRecovery CD to roll it back to the factory settings. I did get the PQServices and the Data Partitions backed up to the hard drive but as files not an image backup.
    I have used both Macrium Reflect and Acronis True Image for WD to try to back up the full HD to image but I can't get one that will verify. I don't know how to get into the hidden partition to retrieve the original version connected to the license.

    All I want is a system that isn't going to croak on me. I really don't care if it's Vista or W7. Vista would obviously be cheaper since I have both stand alone versions of the service packs. But I need to get into the recovery partition to do a roll back to make a new recovery CD to use as a starter, and I don't know how to. Booting to Alt F10 doesn't do it. I've hit every F key on here and none of them open it. Will putting the PQServices on a CD work or would I just need the Acer folders? Or, would it have to be an image to do it?
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  2.    #2

    Your MBR may have been messed up with a reinstall or the repairs you've attempted. If you know you still have the Recovery partition but it won't boot by pressing Alt + F10 at bootup, then try this:

    Reboot your computer and hold down F8, from the menu that follows choose:

    Repair your computer (if this is not a choice, use Vista Repair CD)
    Select keyboard layout, click Next then enter your user details
    Click Command prompt
    here you should be presented with 'X:\Windows\System32
    type 'cd\' <Enter> without quotes
    then at X:\ type 'mbrwrwin boot hdo:x' <Enter> without quotes
    this sets the MBR to boot off the X: partition (ie. 'hidden partition')
    now type 'Exit'

    click on Restart and as soon as the Acer splash screen comes hold down the magic combination <Alt><F10>
    and from there you can proceed to start D2D recovery
    If this fails, find any Vista retail installer to reinstall your version with the Product Key on COA sticker.

    You do not need an OEM installer to reinstall factory OEM since XP. A retail installer will work. You cannot transfer an OEM license from the machine it first was installed upon.

    If you want to buy Win7, you qualify for Upgrade Version. I'm assuming you're interested since you posted in a Win7 forum.

    Did you attempt to repair your HD using maker's diagnostic/Repair CD scan, followed by Disk Check run from the Repair CD Command Line?
    Last edited by gregrocker; 08 Dec 2010 at 09:30.
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  3. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #3

    total confusion said:
    My Vista came preinstalled. I've read every page on using the upgrade to do a clean install. I not only have to do some kind of install, I have to put in a new hard drive. Mine is on it's way out. I bought a WD 1TB black, to put it on. The system files are corrupt beyond repair. Believe me I've tried doing 3 in-place repairs with some CD's I borrowed from a friend. Now I'm told the reason the repair fails is because it wasn't done with the OEM version CD. I keep getting told I can't do a clean install of anything on a new hard drive because the OEM on the motherboard won't recognize the new license to activate it, that is unless I buy the full retail version. If I do the upgrade, what license do I use to register with?? And what about this crap about the motherboard???
    You version of Windows had nothing to do with it failing. You can buy a Win 7 Upgrade disk and it should install fine. If you do what Gregrocker says and then you decide to install Win 7, use this tutorial Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version It will guide you through the process. == The question you asked about the OEM version is that you can't switch an OEM from one computer to another because the Motherboard won't recognize it. With a full retail or upgrade version, this is not a problem. They are transferable. Keep us posted
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  4. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #4

    Hello total confusion, welcome to Seven Forums!



    The advice on using a downloaded Vista and activating with the COA sticker is the best option but you won't need to use the ei.cfg removal tool as Vista is already unlocked, you will just need to download the same bit-rate as you have now.

    Just don't enter an activation key and click next when you get to this first screen, then No when you get this second dialog box, the third snip is self-explanatory; after the install is complete you would activate at "control panel, system" and that's all there is to it.


    click to enlarge
    What happens to the OEM license?-1.jpg
    What happens to the OEM license?-2.jpg
    What happens to the OEM license?-3.jpg
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  5. Posts : 188
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi
    Sorry it took me so long to get back to you I've been trying a couple of things. None of which worked.
    Gregrocker
    In the Quote box you describe how to get into that partition. F8 took me to the safe mode selections window. So I back out of there and rebooted with the Vista SP2 repair CD. I got into the command prompt window but that is not what came up. X:sources\ came up not X:\Windows\System32. See attachment. I tried a bunch of different combinations but never got past the X:\sources. I didn't try backspacing to see if I could take out the sources and type in Windows\System32 in it's place. I'll have to give that a try.
    To answer your question, yes I have run the Western Digital Diagnostics CD then checkdisk. It tell me the damn disk is fine. It's not fine, I hear all kinds of noises from it at different times. I even ran the one for testing from the desktop, it said it was fine too.. I've even had it set up to run a disk check when rebooted, still says no problems found.

    I have 3 Microsoft CD's that they sent me while I was working with them. One is the basic Vista Home Premium, the second is with SP1 and the third is with SP2. These were intended for repair purposes only and came with no license key. I assume I can use them and the key on the side of the case should I decide to stay with Vista. (Christmas and all money is kind of tight right now)

    I do want to find some way to get into that recovery partition though. There were some programs I'd like to snatch off of it and incorporate with 7 if and when I go that way. The Acer "Empowering Technology" is a great feature. If I do a clean install of either I would lose that.

    PS-- Thanks for the warm welcome
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails What happens to the OEM license?-didnt-work.jpg  
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  6. Posts : 1,419
    Windows 7 7600 1 X64
       #6

    Motherboard?


    Since your OEM HDD crapped out on you your original hardware.cfg. file will not recognise any new installed hardware. So, you willneed to perform a clean install.
    I don't quite get what you mean in regards to your mobo?

    Regards,
    Adrian
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 188
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Adrian
    Thanks for the quick reply
    My HD is crapping out, I still got it, using it right now. I haven't even installed the new drive yet.
    I don't get the mobo mumbo-jumbo I got from Acer either. That's why I came looking for an intelligent life form. They tried to tell me I couldn't do a clean install because the mobo won't recognize the new HD.?????

    When you say it won't recognize any new hardware does that mean once I change my hard drive I have to reinstall drivers for all my hardware??? How the hell do you do that if the graphics card keeps the monitor from working?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,419
    Windows 7 7600 1 X64
       #8

    total confusion said:
    Adrian
    Thanks for the quick reply
    My HD is crapping out, I still got it, using it right now. I haven't even installed the new drive yet.
    I don't get the mobo mumbo-jumbo I got from Acer either. That's why I came looking for an intelligent life form. They tried to tell me I couldn't do a clean install because the mobo won't recognize the new HD.?????

    When you say it won't recognize any new hardware does that mean once I change my hard drive I have to reinstall drivers for all my hardware??? How the hell do you do that if the graphics card keeps the monitor from working?
    OK, we have a little more info to work from.
    Depending on the age of your system and your new HDD the connectionIE: SATA or PnP may not be compatable with older MOBO's. Using the upgrade Windows 7 disk you are able to perform a clean install.

    Regards,
    Adrian
      My Computer


  9. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #9

    Hmm, you got a lot of excellent advice above. Just one more. If you install Win7 on your new disk, you need not worry about drivers - they install automatically. The same (to a certain extent) if you use any Vista installation disk and later activate it with your key on the COA sticker.
    I think the Acer people gave you bum advice. There is no reason your mobo should not be able to deal with the new disk - provided it can deal with Sata.
    Last edited by whs; 08 Dec 2010 at 15:34. Reason: typo
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  10. Posts : 1,419
    Windows 7 7600 1 X64
       #10

    Clarification


    total confusion said:
    Adrian
    When you say it won't recognize any new hardware does that mean once I change my hard drive I have to reinstall drivers for all my hardware??? How the hell do you do that if the graphics card keeps the monitor from working?
    I want to clarify my previous statement in regards to the config file.
    If your original OS was installed it recognises all your hardware.
    If you replace the original HDD with a new one you basically have a blank slate.
    Without the oem's original hardware configuration file there is nothing for it to refer. With the original OS every time you install a new piece of hardware the systems registry and config file update themselves.
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