Activation codes

I wasn't certain, so I took a look at Product Id Types:

- OEM SLP and COA SLP product keys, are issued by large computer manufacturers and use SLP (System Locked Pre-installation) technology to bind the license to the original motherboard via the BIOS and software.

The OEM SLP keys self-activate if the corresponding data in the BIOS is correct. OEM SLP keys, which the user can read in the MGADiag report or software like KeyFinder, cannot be used by the end user to manually activate Windows.

The COA SLP key is printed on a sticker affixed to the side of the computer case (desktops), or on the bottom of the case (laptops), or in the battery compartment (newer laptops). This is the key for the user to enter manually should he need to activate Windows himself.

So, I'm fairly certain the the key Speccy gave you is the COA key (Product ID type 8 - COA SLP). I'm not 100% certain, but fairly certain. What that means is that you should ask other folks who are 100% certain AND you should get the sticker from the seller.

I don't thnk you'll get a CD (you might) their license doesn't require one disc per machine, they can mfgr any number of machines from their master disc. Besides very few mfgrs provide discs. But ... they are required to print a sticker and put it on the machine.

ICit2lol said:

... after all you would not run a bakery and not know that yeast and flour were involved in making bread - or would you??

I might ...

Henry Ford was once taken to court by minority shareholders because he didn't know enough about business (actually they wanted more of the profits in their pockets and not in the workers pockets). He lost the court case, but bought out the minority shareholders.

His response: I don't need to know everything, all I have to know is who to hire!.

I don't know if he said that ... but it's good motivational speak.

A wise man once said:
You don't have to know all the answers, you just have to know where to find them when needed.

And Google

Yep actually waiting on a reply from the seller re the sticker and it does look like the Speccy and the validation tool match up - if only we could see the first two sets of alpha/numeric code as the last three do.

Now I might be guessing here but maybe the seller has the stickers or has mislaid them in any case they will be for build 7600 which he put on the machine and which took me six hours of searching to find an answer (from Microsoft) via a Google on an error code.

Now I would be fairly certain a few of us have had to download and install SP1 and know just how long that takes and the flood of updates that follows - that is not the issue really though ruddy annoying as it is - why cannot he have applied even the old sticker on the machine with that code? It would have save all this nonsense.

I really do appreciate all the help and advice / suggestions you have all put in because without it I would be treading water here - and I can't swim LOL!! I don't know what I would have done if it were not for all of you in this thread plus all of the others who have helped me in other threads.

This is a great forum and thank heavens it was set up by the boss and others who in my mind are real Godsends, and I feel so privileged to know you all by being a member albeit a cranky old one with not that much knowledge but what I have learned is from you all plus those who have sadly departed our ranks. .

I think Belarc advisor exposes he license key - that's why I never ask members for a Belarc report
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

Click on Software licenses on the left side of the HTML report that opens up.


I also think that Speccy exposes it in the SN field - you would do me a great favor if you confirm that for me.

Slartybart said:

I think Belarc advisor exposes he license key - that's why I never ask members for a Belarc report
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

Click on Software licenses on the left side of the HTML report that opens up.


I also think that Speccy exposes it in the SN field - you would do me a great favor if you confirm that for me.

Ok Bill I will when I get onto that laptop at the moment I am just about to get ready for the graveyard shift and will do it in a lull in the fighti.... errr buzzers LOL!! I will confirm but not send any details.

If you or anyone thinks I shouldn't be doing this then I won't because I want to stay strictly within the rules and regulations of the forum and the law re Microsoft and I still have not heard back for the seller as by the by.

Bill between (mostly you) and I - I think I have it sussed it out =

Before I left for work I did some testing and found that all of my machines that I have built or refurbished I have I have installed a new SSD and a new (bought) OEM.

Now these machines on the Speccy readout come up with the activation code as per the sticker.

On an older Vista machine that was factory installed the Speccy readout is totally different to the sticker code.

So it leads me to believe that as the code in my pics regarding the Speccy readout and the validation code being just about identical on this machine - I think the seller has got a very old Windows Pro version disk at his store and put it on my machine and either he or his techie have not had the sense or the gumption to attach the sticker.

I have still not heard back yet and I am going to contact Microsoft before much longer if I do not get any satisfaction from him.

I might run that Belarc thing just out of pure curiosity and I will let you all know what I come up with without disclosing details.

Speccy under the Operating System will show the COA key. At least it always has for me with OEM.