OEM and COA product keys

Hi there,

Could someone help me sort my thoughts please?

The OEM SLP is the product key that is used by the factory and is the product key found if you use a keyfinder program such as Belarc or Magical Jellybean keyfinder. If you restore to factory via the recovery partition or by using the recovery discs provided/created, this OEM key will be recognized by the BIOS and will self activate. Right?

The COA SLP product key that is found on the sticker, either on the side, bottom or sometimes in a laptop's battery compartment of your computer is a valid product key, though should only be used in limited situations (such as a case when the OEM SLP key stops self-activating for whatever reason), and this key, if used to restore to factory, must be activated by phone. Right?

Are my thoughts correct? If not, please correct me. :)

Thank you,
Donna

Hi DonnaB
You are basically correct except one can use the OEM COA key found on the Microsoft sticker anytime you do a Clean Install or a Repair Install.
I recommend righting down that Sticker key and don't forget where you put it.

Many do a Clean Install to get away from the factory install and end up with a Clean Windows 7 install. No factory junk or bloatware.

After a Clean Install using the key on the Microsoft sticker the factory OEM/SLP key is no longer of use unless one uses the factory recovery method.

Some times a phone call will be needed after a Clean Install but most often not.

The big problem people have going from OEM/SLP to a OEM key is finding a proper Microsoft DVD with the proper Windows 7 SP-1 to match the Microsoft Sticker COA key.

Please remember that the Microsoft Sticker COA key will only work on the computer it came with.

Any questions please ask.

Hi Layback Bear,

You are basically correct except one can use the OEM COA key found on the Microsoft sticker anytime you do a Clean Install or a Repair Install.

Many do a Clean Install to get away from the factory install and end up with a Clean Windows 7 install. No factory junk or bloatware.

Some times a phone call will be needed after a Clean Install but most often not.

Ah..Now I remember! Yes. I had to do a clean install once after a nasty ZA infection (no recovery media) when W7 .iso's were legally available for downloading at My Digital Life and I had no problem activating without a phone call.

Thank you Layback Bear.

Donna :)

Make sure you keep that copy of Windows you got from My Digital Life. They are like hens teeth to find.

My homeless cat I got from the APL a few years ago is doing well. She sure got big once she started eating properly and the worms were taken care of. (I have a I want cat now.) She always wants something. Sometimes it take a little doing to figure out what she wants.

Oh I did save it. I have it and one for Vista on my external.

Oh yeah! Once you rid kitty of the worms that absorb all the nutrients they grow like weeds. Thanks for reminding me. It's time to worm my kitties again. I have 4 that go outside and bring fleas in to share with my other rescues. Those fleas, once consumed from cleaning themselves turn into tapeworms.

I love to hear about success stories where homeless kitties are concerned. I know what you mean. Mine want for nothing, as soon as I can figure out what it is they really want!

You can always grab another iso from here.

Download Windows 7 ISOs, Legally and for Free | PCsteps.com

Microsoft DigitalRiver Mirror

Nice! Thank you AddRAM. :)