Solved Activation codes

[ICIT2LOL]

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?.

 

[Layback Bear]

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.

 

[Slartybart]

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
.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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.

 

[Slartybart]

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
.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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

 

[Slartybart]

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?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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.

 

[Layback Bear]

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.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Jack yes mate I have messaged him with this https://social.microsoft.com/Forums...-b1637e72280b/windows-license-types-explained and other stuff that clearly states that the sticker is required. I also said I shall be contacting Microsoft and get it from the horses mouth so to speak.

The 8 sticker is on my machine and what he doesn't get is that all versions prior to 8 require a COA sticker - I read a fair bit about it last night.

My gripe is that I paid $135 for a 7 Pro 64bit version that turned out to be the old original 7600 build - no SP1 which took me six hours to work out because it wouldn't download updates eventually found that out via an error code. So he obviously is selling 7 install options that are well out of date.

So it will be interesting to see what Microsoft have to say and for that matter EBay which he sells through and I usually advise against anyone buying such stuff through that site but the machines were again obviously superseded ones he is selling at a discounted rate and include really good specs ie full HD res and i7 core and dedicated GTX 860M GPU (Asus G759JM) making this machine a 2013 / early 2014 model.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just an update the Microsoft call centre (a nightmare) which sounds like it is in the Philippines just kept saying that the seller has to give me the activation code and a COA sticker however much I repeated to her that he was refusing to do. So all in all my options are to message this seller and ask for the activation code and a sticker again - but I am guessing he will just reply with the same old same old.

Personally I think I am left dangling at the end of a very thin rope because Microsoft and I suppose it is no fault of the operator has not really been of very much help and I don't know what to do apart from what I said I am going to do. I could cut my losses and install that Home version again - I know that is legal because I bought it but the install all over - oh boy Plus am I still going to be left with the BIOS problem with 7 drivers although I suppose if that rotten seller fixed it when he put the Pro on it should be ok.

But Microsoft as much as I like their product is pretty slack on the support side really poor form in my mind.

 

[Ztruker]

Definitely report to Ebay. They may refund your money via their Buyer Protection plan. If nothing else get the seller banned.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok everyone I have given up because I am getting nowhere with Microsoft and the seller is still insisting he does not have to provide the sticker.
I am just plain tired and fed up with the whole sorry episode but I have got the activation code from the seller at least and tomorrow or soon I shall install the ISO onto a new drive and use the code he gave me and if it activates then I shall leave it at that. If Microsoft ever query my install then I shall just provide them with the details of what has gone on - besides if they had offered me some concrete help I could have taken it further.
Just as a by the by I contacted another seller on EBay re one of the very same machines they were selling for around the same price with the 7 option and asked if I would get the COA sticker and code for the machine and got the exact same reply (not word for word) that I got from the seller I actually bought it from so again I am no wiser as to where Microsoft stands on this issue.

Because Microsoft do not seem to give a damn or even care - something that I find very irritating considering they make up such in depth and go to what seems to be great lengths to make up the rules and regulations for these activation / code issues and then cannot back up people like myself - I for one have no regard for them any more than I have for the seller.

Sorry for the rant but Microsoft in my view have a very poor support system for folks like me and after spending what is a fair amount of money (to me) on their products over the years - it doesn't sit well with me.

But I do thank you all for the support you all have given me here and I really dislike to do it and feel that I have let you all down by caving in but truly I am tired and fed up with this whole matter - and Microsoft.
John

 

[Layback Bear]

John I think it best to understand that Microsoft has many such complaints.
It takes time to investigate all the complaint to make sure what is what.
Just because you haven't got results back from Microsoft as of yet doesn't mean they are not looking into the matter.

With your last purchase I don't believe Microsoft received and money.
Microsoft doesn't make money on counterfeit systems.

You bought from ebay so just bite the bullet and buy a legal copy of Windows 7 and chalk it up as a learning experience.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes Jack I actually spoke to the operator at the call centre and really I think the call centres any big company use these days are based in countries where we usually have some sort of problem beit language or talk lag. The operator I spoke to for over half an hour I don't think was really that conversant with the licensing laws and just kept saying to ask the seller for the COA sticker and activation code which you and I know are one and the same really one has to be with the other, and even though I told her that the seller was refusing to do what I asked over and over again.

As you have seen the seller is adamant he is right re the sticker and I still do have the Home edition which I bought new from my usual computer supply store as I have on many occasions before and installed on a new SSD when the original (& 8) drive was replaced by me.
Now after I did that the USB ports were not functioning properly and the Asus support site quoted that for Windows 7 drivers the BIOS had to be updated hence me sending it to the seller for him to do that install plus he and his "techie" said it was not necessary to update the BIOS.
It was returned with the Windows 7 installed and the ports working and I presume he did the BIOS thing and the rest I will not bore you with anymore.

He has like I said given me the activation code for the edition he installed which again as I have said before was the old 7600 build and I had to download and install the SP1 to make it build 7601. What I shall do now is install a new SSD and use the ISO from Greg's tutorial to install the 7 Pro and use the activation code he has given me.

If it activates ok and then validates then I shall carry on using the edition he installed and if Microsoft have a problem with that then I shall let them know this sad and sorry story - if they want to take it further then they can get onto that seller and take it up with him.

If things still go south I will do as you say and put on the Home edition.
Honestly I am so tired - literally and with this issue I am past caring what happens with the wretched machine. What I said about Microsoft I meant because they should employ people who now without thinking about it re licensing issues or whatever so that you and I and many others can rely on the support service for help in view of them being so pedantic on how their products are used.

Anyway I have bored all you folks for far too long but I have really appreciated all the advice, help, patience, and time you all have given so generously. I shall update as and when and how things turn out.
Thanks to all
John

 

[Ztruker]

Mirror Folder can be setup to act as a software RAID so it mirrors in real time, definitely faster. I use it to backuop to a 2nd hard drive and also across my network to another computer.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well I do back up Z weekly myself and after all the posts I have done re this problem over four threads so far I think I have got as far as I can with figuring out what the heck is going on. To quote Greg (in my case)

"As to Windows 8, my understanding is that these no longer have COA stickers but activate via the BIOS, including Win8 Professional which has downgrade rights to Win7 Professional if you want that."

I believe that is what has happened to me with the seller doing the downgrade to 7 form the original 8..

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just to let you all know the issue has been resolved. I got onto Microsoft support and explained my predicament and after an hour on the phone and a hook up via logmein they have told me not to worry about the sticker too much and just leave it as is and as they could see my machines install was activated and genuine by checking from their end I suppose. But I must say it is a relief from all the stress and grief over the last three weeks to be back as it were.

Now they did say however that the seller should have provided a sticker for the 7 Pro as it was downgrade but onto a different drive than came with the machine. I think if I had not changed the drive out for a smaller SSD and blank things might have been different so in effect I am legal.

I also must thank you all who have chipped in to help me out I really do appreciate it and to say without you my situation would have been so much more stressful because I do not enjoy being put in situations like this.
Again thank you all.
John

 

[Layback Bear]

You're welcome John.

See there Microsoft didn't forget you they are just busy.
Now wright down you COA key and put it in a safe place.