Activation key sticker partially rubbed off; Sony's restore discs.

[Zyzzx]

Two questions: 1) Sony Vaio with Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601) pre-installed. Having problems, need to reformat. The sticker on the bottom with Activation Key is half rubbed away, can only see 1st 3 groups of characters. Somewhere Sony has the Serial Number of my computer along with the Activation Key for my computer. But having spoken several times to Support at Sony including a supervisor, they claim they have none of that info. I've used Belarc software, but it gives me a Key which MS tells me is blocked by Sony. This is probably their overall Key, but not the Key specific to the install on my computer - the characters left underneath my computer are different. (As mentioned, I only have these partially,but the 1st 3 groups I have do not match). I know that's an issue involving myself and Sony, but can MS help in some way? It's a valid computer purchase which can be verified - I have the Serial #, etc. 2) I have a set of reformat discs for my computer obtained several years ago from Sony. Sony Vaio support insists that if I use these then an activation between myself and MS will not be required. If they are wrong, I'll do a reformat and not have a working computer. I don't understand how they can be correct - are they thinking of Windows 8 (and above?), for which the Activation Key is on the Motherboard? How will these discs let MS know that this is an authentic copy without contact? The discs do not have an Activation Key inside the case. Please help.

 

[Layback Bear]

Just my understanding.

From your post.

I have a set of reformat discs for my computer obtained several years ago from Sony. Sony Vaio support insists that if I use these then an activation between myself and MS will not be required.

My understanding is that the Sony discs will bring your system back to the way it was when it was bought. Therefor will self activate with the Sony SLP key.

The problem is you will loose everything. So before you do this, backup everything you want to save to a external drive first.

When you get it up and running do make backups and or clones.

I use Macrium Reflect to do this.

Unless you have all the COA sticker readable Microsoft is out of the picture unless you buy another copy of Windows 7 with the matching COA key.

Jack

 

[Zyzzx]

Thanks for the prompt response. "Therefor will self activate with the Sony SLP key" What is an SLP key? Also what is a COA key? Not familiar with what those acronyms stand for. When I first purchased the computer, there was a sticker under the computer, as mentioned. I don't remember if I had to use the key to validate when I first used the new computer. But every time I've reformatted I've had to use it.

 

[Ranger4]

SLP = System Locked Pre-install. This type installation is used by large computer manufacturers.

COA= Certificate of Authorisation. This is the certificate issued by MS for authority to use the product.

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. Such as Sony in your case.

- 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.

As Layback Bear has said if you use the Sony supplied installation discs, you should not have any problems.

 

[Zyzzx]

Ranger4 - " 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." I made a careless mistake which makes my situation hopeless I guess (I posted in a Sony forum but doubt I'll get any help there). I'd located several articles on trying to locate the key. One had a command prompt. I followed thru on that one, and after hitting "Enter" got a small popup - "You have successfully removed the Product Key". I looked back at the article and saw I had confused it with another - this one was for removing the Product code in order to enter a new code. I did a System Restore, but no luck, so I suppose as you mentioned it was in the BIOS and therefore the Restore did not put the code back. A dumb mistake when I was frustrated by not being able to find a scan I'd done of the bottom of the computer a few years ago when I saw the sticker was starting to be rubbed away. Thanks for the feedback guys, I guess it's hopeless, I'd have to buy a new copy of Windows 7 and hope the activation code with it works. Not worth the money (if I can even find one) as this computer is wearing down and has multiple hardware problems - only 1 of 3 ports works, keyboard doesn't work so use a bluetooth one - when the one port goes (if it does), the machine is finished. And software problems - the system locking up when I watch video/stream or downloaded, which I hoped would be cured with a reformat. Have looked in 2 external hdds, but can't find that scan of the computer bottom. Thanks for your responses.

I'd already decided to buy a new computer in a few months but need this to work for another month or so.
If you guys (or anyone else) has a possible solution please let me know.

 

[Zyzzx]

Ranger4 - "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."

I used Belarc and it gives me an OEM key. MS told me that the key is blocked by Sony.
Perhaps that is what you refer to.
On the base of my computer I have the 1st 3 groups of 5 characters of the Product Activation Key.
They are different than the 1st 3 groups of the OEM key that Belarc shows me.

I could reenter the key Belarch shows me into the computer, into wherever the key I removed was, perhaps the BIOS, by using a command prompt the article gives.

But it's seeming less likely that I will be successful in doing a restore with the recovery discs I have and having Windows activated successfully.

 

[SIW2]

2) I have a set of reformat discs for my computer obtained several years ago from Sony. Sony Vaio support insists that if I use these then an activation between myself and MS will not be required.

That is correct. The Sony media will contain the key and cert.


[ Note:For those who don't have discs:
For a lot of Sony models, pressing F10, OR alt + F10 at boot will start the factory restore process.
If not, then post a screenshot of disk management or any decent partition manager and we can find out if the recov part is intact. If it is still intact, there may be other ways to access it.]

 

[Ranger4]

Zyzzx. Use the Sony reinstall discs that you say you have. If you use those then activation should occur automatically.

Both Layback Bear & SIW2 have suggested that you use those discs as well.

 

[Zyzzx]

Zyzzx. Use the Sony reinstall discs that you say you have. If you use those then activation should occur automatically.

Both Layback Bear & SIW2 have suggested that you use those discs as well.

Very encouraging, especially after I made a braindead mistake that I thought was irremediable. But I'd like to make sure I expressed myself clearly: I removed the Product Activation Key (via a Command Prompt) that was in the computer for my Windows 7 software (I've reformatted a few times using the partition and at the end inputting the key from the stickers, never tried the discs]. It was a prompt for removing the Product Key in order to input a new Product Key (I confused it with another article or another procedure in the same article to try to find the key). Unfortunately I did that effectively - I was getting in the lower right of the screen after that occurred - "This is not an authentic version of Windows" or something like that. I've managed to get rid of that, but wanted to make sure it's understood that if the discs relate to a key that's in the Registry or BIOS or wherever, it may no longer be there, thanks to my not paying attention (Lesson learned - hopefully - Pay Attention before hitting "Enter" on Command Prompts). Perhaps I removed the activation key from the registry but it's still in the BIOS? I was afraid it was removed completely from the computer, but I'm hoping you guys will tell me that's not the case. Do all of you still feel the discs will activate properly and not tell me it's not authentic Windows Software or something like that, and shut down after 30 days? Thanks to all of you for being so helpful.

 

[Zyzzx]

I just ran Belarc Advisor again, and it's still showing: "Microsoft - Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) 00359-OEM-8992687-00016 (Key: ** REMOVED **)e[footnote] So this is hopefully a good sign. Yes? (I'd checked with MS previously on this and was told that Sony blocked the above key).

 

[SIW2]

The sony recov media will have the Sony slp key and cert included.

You can have a look in the iso if you like. They will probably be in iso\sources\$OEM$\$$\setup\scripts\


From your last post, seems like you already have the Sony Home Prem key installed.

Does it say it is activated in the system window?

 

[Zyzzx]

"From your last post, seems like you already have the Sony Home Prem key installed." That is a key that MS told me Sony has blocked. I can still see the 1st 3 groups of Product Activation characters on the base of my computer and the characters in the key I posted are different.

 

[Zyzzx]

The sony recov media will have the Sony slp key and cert included.

You can have a look in the iso if you like. They will probably be in iso\sources\$OEM$\$$\setup\scripts\


From your last post, seems like you already have the Sony Home Prem key installed.

Does it say it is activated in the system window?

What is the "system window"? My home screen?

 

[Zyzzx]

Ranger4 - "The OEM SLP keys self-activate if the corresponding data in the BIOS is correct." This is my fear - that when I accidentally removed the Activation Key from my computer, that it may have deleted the corresponding data in the BIOS referred to above. See Post #5 Ranger4 and the others - what do you think? Am I still OK to use the disc. After I accidentally removed the Activation Key as described in Post #5, I had the message in the lower right of my screen "This is not a genuine version of Windows 7" or something like that. That situation is unresolved, but I managed to get rid of that message but have not re-inserted the Product Key which I accidentally removed because I don't know the whole product key. So I'm wondering if the activation keys in the Sony factory restore discs will still be able to interact with "the corresponding data in the BIOS" , as Ranger4 referred to?

 

[SIW2]

The slp key is included in the Sony restore media you have. It will install automatically, together with the matching cert, which is also contained in the recovery media.

The product key on the sticker on your machine is different, it is supposed to be.

 

[Zyzzx]

The slp key is included in the Sony restore media you have. It will install automatically, together with the matching cert, which is also contained in the recovery media.

The product key on the sticker on your machine is different, it is supposed to be.

Thanks for the response. So just to confirm - all the key's and matching cert are included in the Sony restore media discs? There is nothing on my computer (in the BIOS or elsewhere) that it has to interact with?

 

[SIW2]

The key and cert in the media need to match the slic table in bios.

So that Sony media won't activate automatically on a machine that doesn't have the slic table.

 

[SIW2]

What is the "system window"

If you press winkey and pause/break keys at the same time, the system window will pop up.

Otherwise start menu>control panel> system

 

[Zyzzx]

The key and cert in the media need to match the slic table in bios.

So that Sony media won't activate automatically on a machine that doesn't have the slic table.

Please look at my post #14. I accidentally used an Administrative Command Prompt to remove a key from my computer, after which getting notice "This is not a genuine copy of Windows 7" or something like that. Does this mean "the slic table in bios" is what I removed? What I did is explained in post #14 and previous.

 

[Zyzzx]

I'm pretty sure this is what I did : " A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press enter. (see screeshot below) slmgr.vbs /upk" Then a small window popped up: "Uninstalled product key successfully". Hopefully my Sony restoral discs will still activate because the key you mention is tied to the BIOS and is not what I removed?