Activation codes

Layback Bear said:

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

Hmm is that with an OEM you have bought and put on Jack? as the factory installed ones I have Speccy'd all have different codes ie the mass install licence of the machine maker / retailer.

I still think this seller I have been dealing with has put on a very old edition that he had lying around because it was build 7600 when it got back to me hence the problem with SP1.

Now it has occurred to me if he does that to other customers who opt for the 7 instead of the inbuilt 8 they are going to be stuck with that very same problem - no SP1 if he has any other copies lying around and without much knowledge of how to recognize or even correct the problem they are going to be a bit disappointed to say the least eh?.

Yes. All my installs are from a Microsoft DVD in a sealed package I buy from my local Intel Store. I don't like doing business any other way when it comes to buying a Windows operating system.

That way I get the official DVD and COA sticker all in one package from Microsoft through my local dealer. If their is a problem I can get it taken care in a very short time. Knock on wood I have never really had a activation problem. One time I had to call because I RMA a motherboard.

It all comes down to what you buy and from where.

ICit2lol said:

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.

Thanks John,

The Vista factory installed has the mass mfgr key and will never match the COA key (same is true for any Windows version installed by the mfgr)

I agree with your assessment re: Win7 not being SP1, but maybe the guy just picked up the wrong disc - who knows. If he only has a Win7 disc, then I think he should have at least installed SP1 manually - it would have been nice if he brought the machine completely up to date using Windows Update ... but that probably isn't realistic to ask - mind you, you can always ask!

It would be a courtesy to inform the seller of what you discovered - maybe he'll give you a break in the future for your time and trouble.

I just thought of something ... this was originally a Win8 machine - right? They don't have COA stickers.

You mentioned that the seller did supply a disc, so the only requirement he had was to provide the COA key with the disc - double check the packaging, sometimes it's just a slip of paper.

Bill
.

No mate he didn't supply a disk or sticker and yes Jack that is how I buy my OEM's direct form my computer parts suppliers.

Frankly I haven't heard form him yet so might have to take it further.

ICit2lol said:

No mate he didn't supply a disk or sticker and yes Jack that is how I buy my OEM's direct form my computer parts suppliers.

Frankly I haven't heard form him yet so might have to take it further.

Hmmm, I wonder what thread I was in - I thought I read that you had a disc. Time to get two pairs of $tore reading glasses and wear the both at the same time!

Thanks for keeping me straight on this thread.

Bill
.

My fault mate I had a another thread re updating Windows I think it was where I mentioned a disk that I bought and putting it on a new drive for that machine. So you were not dreaming it - I have a bad habit of figuring out one thing and then when something comes up that is slightly related to that thread I feel like I shouldn't have to make others read over old ground as it were so start a new thread. Only because I find it so time consuming to read through others and I try to be more to the point

No sweat, my friend. Let's just get you situated with the issue at hand now that I know I'm posting in the correct thread :)

but we're in a wait and see mode for now, right?

Yes but I don't like to hold you up when there are more important issues to be worked on.

Still no communication from that seller who has until the day after tomorrow to get back to me before I contact Microsoft and / or EBay.

Thanks again for all your and the others concerns.

Finally got a response =

That is not correct as COA is only present on Factory installed Windows 7 PC's, there are no COA on OEM or Windows 8 PC's as License resides in BIOS.. I have provided you ALL required information for your future installations.. There are NO MORE COA stickers on Windows 8 laptops, here is Microsoft forum:

No COA included with pre-built PC - does it matter? - Microsoft Community

Regards.

-

Am going to contact Microsoft and see what they think of my situation as I did some reading last night and everything pints to there being a sticker required despite what that forum he quotes says and I do not want to be running a OS that is not up to scratch and I have told the seller so.

The seller is partly correct.
Their is no COA sticker on a system with W-8 installed.

Where the seller stepped on his P P is when he installed W-7 which must have a matching COA sticker to the Windows 7 installed.

Like I posted in one of your other threads with this computer problem.
You have given the seller more than enough time and opportunities to correct this problem.

What is the hold up? Call Microsoft and go from there.