Win 7 OEM or Retail

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  1. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #11

    nevadaoutlaw said:
    How about the Win 7 I see on ebay that are put out by Dell. It says they will work on any computer, and are a lot cheaper?
    Why do you need a new product key? just because you swapped motherboards?

    Or also because you want a repair install?

    For repair install you need:
    Windows 7 Professional x86 SP1 X17-59183.iso
    This is the english (USA) version 32 bits
    Repair Install
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 professional 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #12

    No, I said it was a used computer. Bought it on ebay a couple years ago. been a good computer.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #13

    Kaktussoft said:
    nevadaoutlaw said:
    How about the Win 7 I see on ebay that are put out by Dell. It says they will work on any computer, and are a lot cheaper?
    Why do you need a new product key? just because you swapped motherboards?

    Or also because you want a repair install?

    For repair install you need:
    Windows 7 Professional x86 SP1 X17-59183.iso
    This is the english (USA) version 32 bits
    Repair Install
    Because he has no key at all, he stated it's not on the PC.
    Those Dell installers will still need a genuine product key.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #14

    I would take it back where you got it from and demand a key or your money back. No reseller is allowed to sell a pc without a windows activation key.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Windows 8 Pro x64
       #15

    Contact with seller and ask him about the problem, maybe you'll solve it :)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,466
    Windows 10 Home Premium 64bit sp1
       #16

    Lady Fitzgerald said:
    Cheaper isn't always better. Strictly speaking, an OEM can be installed only on the original MOBO. Once installed, you can't uninstall it and reinstall it on another MOBO. In the past, many people have been able to sweet talk M$ into letting them do it anyway (generally, by claiming they were repairing the same computer by replacing a bad MOBO) but I've read that M$ has been tightening up on that. At best, it's a crapshoot.

    Retail, on the other hand, can be uninstalled from one MOBO and reinstalled on another as many times as you want (as long as you don't get carried away) without any arguments from M$.
    She is right I have had to call them and explain to them the same thing especially when the mobo in question blew up on the mosfets when I purchased a new board I had to end up calling MS explaining what the problem was and they allowed it they even allowed a upgrade copy to become full functional after I told them I have done it before

    Like Lady said it's almost shot in the dark now because they want to lock it down
      My Computer

  7.    #17

    Look at the Activation information at Computer>Properties page.

    Does the Product ID say OEM in its string? If so it is retail OEM which lives and dies with the mobo its first installed upon. Unless you replaced the exact same mobo it will lose activation and not be able to reactivate unless you get lucky with MS Phone Activation (as some report): How To Activate Windows 7 by Phone Step-by-Step Guide.

    If there is no OEM then it's retail so the Product Key can be audited from the HD using a keyfinder like Belarc Advisor to use to reactivate. If there is a problem also use Phone Activation.

    There's a third possibility which is that the "Pro" installed bootleg software, since he didn't provide you with the COA sticker with Product Key which is not really legal. In that case there would also likely be an OEM in the PID string, and MS has a program for making whole those who have been victims of piracy so it might be worth your time to inquire with Customer Service if the Phone Activation agent confirms it is not legit.
      My Computer


 
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