Acer laptop Win 7 Ultimate x64 OEM, how to clean install without disk?

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  1. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #11

    Yes, even if the current install is not genuine, the recovery media should work. The SLIC table is not version specific, it's only OS specific. That's why you'll get Ultimate installed when it should be home premium. They switch the certificate file for an Ultimate one. Likely why they now have an actual key embedded in the BIOS for Windows 8/8.1 and 10 now. It makes it a lot harder to try and cheat the system. There is a program called rweverything, that should show you what data is in your SLIC table and what OS it supports. I've played with it in the past when Windows 8 first came out. That "should tell you if your SLIC table supports Windows 7 or not. If ACER says it does then you should be good to go. If you want to double check google it for a download and instructions. showkey may also tell you, Solved Showkey - Windows 10 Forums A lot easier to use too.
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  2. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #12

    alphanumeric said:
    There is no key in the SLIC table, there is an OEM identifier. The original factory install media has a certificate file that matches the identifier in the SLIC table. The OEM media also changes the way the PC activates. OEM-SLP installs do not activate online. That's why it's no big deal if you know the key, the key is useless without the custom branded install media. Microsoft knows all the factory OEM keys and has them permanently blocked from online activation. Every Acer with Windows 7 Home Premium installed at the factory has the same factory OEM key. The key on the COA sticker is unique to the PC and there solely for use with stock install media. Even then, as far as I know, you have to activate by phone the first time you use it to get it registered on the activation server. Likely to prevent somebody from reading it and trying to use it on another PC.
    Weren't things easier, in the days of 95

    Ok, I just about managed to digest the expanded explanation, much appreciated.
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  3. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #13

    Yes. OEM-SLP activation didn't start until XP. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System...e-installation In the Windows 95 days you could open up the System page and it listed the product key. All you had to do was write it down and you could use it on another PC, or 2 or 3. Or so I heard. Microsoft eventually figured that out and now you see the PID instead, which is useless as far as pirating Windows goes. and of course they changed the way you activate Windows.
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  4. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #14

    Yeah, I gave Acer the serial number and told them Ultimate was installed, don't know if they cared about that or not, and I am understanding it doesn't matter, neither does it matter if it's a non-genuine install, if Acer offered to sell me the recovery media, I should be good to go, it's just I read elsewhere of someone ordering recovery media, and it not working, probably a different scenario though.

    Thanks for the rweverything and showkey tips, I think I will try getting the hang of those and double checking before I get back on the phone to Acer and order.
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  5. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #15

    alphanumeric said:
    All you had to do was write it down and you could use it on another PC, or 2 or 3. Or so I heard.
    I heard the same thing! The good ol' days...
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  6. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #16

    What's the difference between PID product id and product key then? (I should google this one, I'm getting plain lazy )
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  7. Posts : 7,100
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #17

    Hi Silver,
    The Toshiba key may work, when you enter it, it will more than likely tell you to activate via phone, and if you get a nice operater at the MS end.
    Does that lappy have any sticker on the bottom, if it has a W8 logo style sticker roughly postage stamp size then you'll be able to upgrade to 10 no problem.
    Acer does not allow W8 downgrade to W7

    that Acer prog should be the launch manager, my bad.

    Roy
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  8. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #18

    silverfx said:
    Yeah, I gave Acer the serial number and told them Ultimate was installed, don't know if they cared about that or not, and I am understanding it doesn't matter, neither does it matter if it's a non-genuine install, if Acer offered to sell me the recovery media, I should be good to go, it's just I read elsewhere of someone ordering recovery media, and it not working, probably a different scenario though.

    Thanks for the rweverything and showkey tips, I think I will try getting the hang of those and double checking before I get back on the phone to Acer and order.
    If the recovery media does an OEM-SLP install, which I assume it does. It all depends on what data is in the SLIC table. It could be only good for Vista. It depends on the actual data in the SLIC table. It can be authorized for XP, Vista and & 7 but doesn't have to be. If it originally shipped from the factory with Vista it may only have the code for Vista. Go to the Acer site and look for drivers. If you don't see any listed for Windows 7 that could be bad news. Does it have a Windows 7 sticker on the top near the keyboard? if it does your OK. I may be overeating, Acer "should" know if the media will work or not.
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  9. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #19

    Showkey, that I inked to earlier, will tell you if it has a Windows 8 OEM key. If it does you can clean install Windows 8.1 or 10 with it. I do believe it will also tell you if the SLIC table supports Windows 7 or not. Solved Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
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  10. Posts : 7,100
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #20

    hope MS are nice


    In your Mxdiag posting ive given you the bad news.
    Its not nice to be duped,

    Hope my previous post re Toshiba proves to be fruitfull.

    Roy
      My Computer


 
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