Solved Activation codes

[ICIT2LOL]

I have a machine I recently bought and had 7 Pro put on it instead of the 8 it came with.
now to cut a long story short the seller who installed the 7 has not provided me with a COA code and I am wondering how I can find it out by contacting Microsoft from where I validated the install tonight using their validation process.

That is ok but if I want to do say run Greg's tutorial and reinstall if I have to I do not have the code and I am thinking the seller is going to not know where it is and I think in all honesty he should have stuck a sticker with the code on the machine before sending it back.

I will ask the seller tomorrow but being Saturday and the likelihood of it not forthcoming I think my best bet lies with Microsoft.

Any advice really appreciated.

 

[Layback Bear]

The first things I would do is run Speccy and get the code.

Next thing would be this.

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ne-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html

The third thing I would do is report the seller to Microsoft.

*** Is this the same computer you have having all the problems with?

 

[RolandJS]

Layback Bear, could the seller have installed an OEM Windows 7 Pro? That would still call for a COA [albeit OEM] sticker, correct?

 

[Layback Bear]

You are correct.

If a seller installs Windows 7 their should be a Windows 7 COA sticker on the computer it was installed on, matching the install. That COA key should not be installed on another computer or both systems can be considered counterfeit.

Seldom does a seller install a retail version of Windows 7 on a computer they are selling. So 99.999999% of the installs are OEM.
OEM installs all need the COA sticker matching the installed Windows 7 system some where on the computer.

If one doesn't get a sticker on their computer their is a good chance the sticker is on another computer and the seller is just using the COA key over hoping they won't get caught until they can start a new website and start all over again cheating people.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep Jack and Roland this is the machine I was having problems with getting 7 put on as an extra because it originally came with 8 and I wanted 7 and installed 7 on a SSD (I bought the OEM and SSD) but could not download drivers for 7 because the Asus support said I would have to update the BIOS first to do that.

So I sent it back to the seller who had already said his techie said it was not necessary and I thought if they have to alter the BIOS then it would be their problem if the machine went south.

They put the 7 Pro on it and it turned out to be a 7600 build (no SP1) because it would not do any Windows updates. To cut a VERY long story short I worked out why and I downloaded and installed the SP1 myself and the updates flooded in as you can imagine and the build went to the 7601 we all know.

What I am going to do is ask him for a sticker (as the validation tool has validated the install / version) because there is no sticker on the machine and I have no reference to the COA code - the Speccy and that How to Geek article process come up with the sellers licence code to put Windows on machines en mass.

For example if I reinstalled and used that code it would be rejected as it belongs to the factory who make the machines.

If he cannot give me a sticker or the code then I will go to Microsoft and ask what I can do about it.

Now the reason I want that sticker and therefore code is if I have to reinstall then I will have to use an ISO form Greg's tutorial in the vent that I need to reinstall.
I could of course use the Home version OEM but if that means that I have to alter the BIOS then it will be down to me for any problems arising from doing that.

The How to Geek site now quote this http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html (in a reply to me) as the way to get the product key from the machine because I posted on their forum my concerns and disappointment that their fix solution for finding your own individual product code did not in fact show up the activation code only the factories OEM code for mass installing Windows and after they install Windows 7 on any machine they make - they should attach a sticker with the code unique to each individual machine.

The other problem with this is that this machine came with 8 as you know does not need a sticker so I think it befalls the seller in my case to attach said sticker for the 7 he put on.

Thanks to you both for being so patient and in hindsight I should have sorted this out before I paid for the machine - an expensive and drawn out way of finding out what to do in the future IF I ever buy like that again, but at least I know now
John

 

[Layback Bear]

John, to hell with the seller. You have given the seller more than enough chances to correct your problem.

The seller should of installed the Windows 7 COA on the computer so it would be legal.
I assume you want a legal Windows 7 install. The way it sounds now is you do not have a legal install of Window 7.

If you would of done this we would in a heart beat let you know if the install is legal.
A COA sticker alone does not make you legal.
A proper install and a proper COA sticker that matches, together make you legal.

Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

To make things simple as I always try to do.

Have the seller mail you a sealed legal copy of Windows 7 DVD.
It will have a COA sticker inside the sealed container.
Their should be no extra cost to you in my opinion.

As you know we will not help anybody trying to make a illegal Windows 7 install work even if we could.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes Jack and I have messaged him re this if it does not come back as a sticker then I shall ask for the OEM installation disk (complete with sticker) as you say.

Thing is of course I want to be legal and I am glad I have the backup of you more experienced members to fall back on and again of course I would be more than pleased for you to chip me for using something that is not legal.

After all an OEM is not expensive and if I thought for one second I could install the Home edition I originally installed without messing with the BIOS I would do that in an instant. It is for the BIOS reason I am persisting with the seller and nothing else really because all this grief is let us be honest not worth a second thought. Besides he charged me enough for a new machine albeit a superseded one but one that I am happy with because of the features it has.

If push comes to shove then I shall contact Microsoft and get their advice on this because basically the buck stops there eh? and he surely could not want to mess with them, as it has the potential for some severe penalties for him selling stuff in this manner.
If it becomes absolutely necessary I shall return the unit to him with the original 8 drive in it and if I don't get satisfaction then I shall get onto EBay but I would rather do it in a civil way and him just give me that sticker / disk.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just updating this is what I get with the validation tool and Speccy the Speccy gives me all the alpha/numeric but the last three sets are the same so am assuming the Speccy is throwing the same only giving me the first two five alpha/numeric sets.
As I have been told the Speccy is only throwing the factory mass OEM installation code what am I to believe.
I will post this in the validation tutorial too to se what else comes up.

 

[Slartybart]

OEM Partner Center: Downgrade rights details

If an end user chooses to downgrade to an approved, prior version of the Windows desktop operating system, the PC manufacturer still must apply the desktop operating system Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to the PC.

Just so the seller knows you know what you're talking about.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

OEM Partner Center: Downgrade rights details

If an end user chooses to downgrade to an approved, prior version of the Windows desktop operating system, the PC manufacturer still must apply the desktop operating system Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to the PC.

Just so the seller knows you know what you're talking about.

Thanks Bill that is looking good and as you say shows I must know a little of what I am quoting.

This all could have been avoided if the seller did what he was supposed to do in the first place or even knew what he had to do as he keeps referring to what his techie tells him and as the business owner I reckon one should employ someone who knows the basic rules such as put out by Microsoft if not himself as well after all you would not run a bakery and not know that yeast and flour were involved in making bread - or would you??

 

[Slartybart]

I wasn't certain, so I took a look at Product Id Types:

- OEM SLP and COA SLP product keys, are issued by large computer manufacturers and use SLP (System Locked Pre-installation) technology to bind the license to the original motherboard via the BIOS and software.

The OEM SLP keys self-activate if the corresponding data in the BIOS is correct. OEM SLP keys, which the user can read in the MGADiag report or software like KeyFinder, cannot be used by the end user to manually activate Windows.

The COA SLP key is printed on a sticker affixed to the side of the computer case (desktops), or on the bottom of the case (laptops), or in the battery compartment (newer laptops). This is the key for the user to enter manually should he need to activate Windows himself.

So, I'm fairly certain the the key Speccy gave you is the COA key (Product ID type 8 - COA SLP). I'm not 100% certain, but fairly certain. What that means is that you should ask other folks who are 100% certain AND you should get the sticker from the seller.

I don't thnk you'll get a CD (you might) their license doesn't require one disc per machine, they can mfgr any number of machines from their master disc. Besides very few mfgrs provide discs. But ... they are required to print a sticker and put it on the machine.

 

[Slartybart]

... after all you would not run a bakery and not know that yeast and flour were involved in making bread - or would you??

I might ...

Henry Ford was once taken to court by minority shareholders because he didn't know enough about business (actually they wanted more of the profits in their pockets and not in the workers pockets). He lost the court case, but bought out the minority shareholders.

His response: I don't need to know everything, all I have to know is who to hire!.

I don't know if he said that ... but it's good motivational speak.

 

[Layback Bear]

A wise man once said:
You don't have to know all the answers, you just have to know where to find them when needed.

 

[DavidE]

A wise man once said:
You don't have to know all the answers, you just have to know where to find them when needed.

That wise man knew about Seven Forums

 

[AddRAM]

And Google

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep actually waiting on a reply from the seller re the sticker and it does look like the Speccy and the validation tool match up - if only we could see the first two sets of alpha/numeric code as the last three do.

Now I might be guessing here but maybe the seller has the stickers or has mislaid them in any case they will be for build 7600 which he put on the machine and which took me six hours of searching to find an answer (from Microsoft) via a Google on an error code.

Now I would be fairly certain a few of us have had to download and install SP1 and know just how long that takes and the flood of updates that follows - that is not the issue really though ruddy annoying as it is - why cannot he have applied even the old sticker on the machine with that code? It would have save all this nonsense.

I really do appreciate all the help and advice / suggestions you have all put in because without it I would be treading water here - and I can't swim LOL!! I don't know what I would have done if it were not for all of you in this thread plus all of the others who have helped me in other threads.

This is a great forum and thank heavens it was set up by the boss and others who in my mind are real Godsends, and I feel so privileged to know you all by being a member albeit a cranky old one with not that much knowledge but what I have learned is from you all plus those who have sadly departed our ranks. .

 

[Slartybart]

I think Belarc advisor exposes he license key - that's why I never ask members for a Belarc report
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

Click on Software licenses on the left side of the HTML report that opens up.


I also think that Speccy exposes it in the SN field - you would do me a great favor if you confirm that for me.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I think Belarc advisor exposes he license key - that's why I never ask members for a Belarc report
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

Click on Software licenses on the left side of the HTML report that opens up.


I also think that Speccy exposes it in the SN field - you would do me a great favor if you confirm that for me.

Ok Bill I will when I get onto that laptop at the moment I am just about to get ready for the graveyard shift and will do it in a lull in the fighti.... errr buzzers LOL!! I will confirm but not send any details.

If you or anyone thinks I shouldn't be doing this then I won't because I want to stay strictly within the rules and regulations of the forum and the law re Microsoft and I still have not heard back for the seller as by the by.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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.

 

[Layback Bear]

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