New
#1
Activation key sticker partially rubbed off; Sony's restore discs.
Two questions: 1) Sony Vaio with Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601) pre-installed. Having problems, need to reformat. The sticker on the bottom with Activation Key is half rubbed away, can only see 1st 3 groups of characters. Somewhere Sony has the Serial Number of my computer along with the Activation Key for my computer. But having spoken several times to Support at Sony including a supervisor, they claim they have none of that info. I've used Belarc software, but it gives me a Key which MS tells me is blocked by Sony. This is probably their overall Key, but not the Key specific to the install on my computer - the characters left underneath my computer are different. (As mentioned, I only have these partially,but the 1st 3 groups I have do not match). I know that's an issue involving myself and Sony, but can MS help in some way? It's a valid computer purchase which can be verified - I have the Serial #, etc. 2) I have a set of reformat discs for my computer obtained several years ago from Sony. Sony Vaio support insists that if I use these then an activation between myself and MS will not be required. If they are wrong, I'll do a reformat and not have a working computer. I don't understand how they can be correct - are they thinking of Windows 8 (and above?), for which the Activation Key is on the Motherboard? How will these discs let MS know that this is an authentic copy without contact? The discs do not have an Activation Key inside the case. Please help.