Help with activations codes

[ICIT2LOL]

Anyone help me with this little problem. I have a friends laptop approx. 3 year old (Toshiba L650) that is having real problems - I think an unmovable virus.
Now I am thinking of doing Gregs OEM clean install but am not sure what to use for the activation code because I have two very different ones as you can see in the pics.

I shall be contacting Microsoft but would just like to get any ideas before I go ahead and make an idiot of myself.

The viral problem is stopping me from uninstalling an old Kaspersky version and install the newest one and besides the computer is dreadfully slow so a clean install is my suggestion to her after saving her photos etc.

So the pics are what is on the sticker and one that Speccy is throwing up because in the past Speccy has always been on the money with the activation code matching the sticker with my machines. So anyone any help most appreciated.

 

[DavidE]

For a clean install you need to use the key on the COA sticker.
Greg notes that in the tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

If you use the Manufacturers Recovery media it will use the pre-activated key that you see in Speccy.
You can't use this key to do a clean install.

 

[Golden]

As David says, always use the COA Sticker one when clean installing.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok David thanks for that I didn't know the recovery media had a different code and well in my years of buying one never gets recovery media with the machines as I think one should and as we so often hear people remark here on this forum.

So as this machine also threw a bluey when I was on TeamViewer with the bloke from Kaspersky yesterday when he tried uninstalling the suite using their removal tool - remotely I shall use Gregs tut and the ISO as at least the Toshiba bloat will be null and void. I am glad in a way this happened because I was beginning to think I had done something wrong and so was her husband but I have done Kaspersky installs and uninstalls for the last six years and never have struck this before.

I have discussed this with her tonight (we are on night duty) and she has said that they had been trying to do things in facebook and I know it is probably a safe - ish site but not one that I would touch with a greasy pole and that her husband had found someone trying to hack into this machine and thinks he caught it in time - but did he??

Thanks to you Colin too I shall keep that one stored away and when I find different codes with Speccy or SIW not that I use that much these days I shall know what that is all about

Thanks to both of you I have learnt something tonight and I was just going to leave it because I didn't want to bother anyone with my simple problem but all's good.

 

[DavidE]

You're welcome and good luck with the clean install.
You may still be able to create Manufacturers Recovery discs.
There should be a utility for this on the laptop, or you would have to order them from the Manufacturer if they are ever needed.
After a clean install, the Factory Recovery partition / utility might not work anymore.

I found an MS article that explains these keys better.

[FONT=&quot]- OEM SLP[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 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. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]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.[/FONT]

Source: Windows License Types Explained

Make sure the COA key is recorded somewhere safe.
Sometimes they wear out and can't be read, and might mean purchasing a new license if a clean install is needed later.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks David yes mate I shall probably wipe or clean all this drive before I install anyway as long as it activates on the now stored code it will eb nothing.

Just as a by the by I just bought this new Asus ROG G750JM and it came with 8 and I flipped in a SSD and brand new spare OEM 7 I had but it didn't go right. So to cut a very long story short I returned it to the seller who for $135 extra put on 7 only for me to discover after six hours of trying to find why it would not update that the build was 7600 - NO SP1!! I was pretty annoyed to say the least. After downloading and installing SP1 all's well but the seller who leaves these thing's to his techie should be really more on the ball and I told him so the techie if that what he or she is should have known became 7601 has been out for a long time.

So now I have to get onto Microsoft who I find are usually very accommodating to allow me to install the spare OEM on another machine as they have done it in the past for me ie after my brother in the UK bought a rotten Dell install disk that was really corrupted.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just out of curiosity I just found this in a news letter
How to Find Your Lost Windows or Office Product Keys and it works

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Now I have just run the program form this How to Find Your Lost Windows or Office Product Keys and the code thrown up from the registry matches the Speccy one and does not match in any way the sticker code as in a previous post.

What am I to believe the sticker or this number that match exactly and especially as one comes form the registry.

Now I have tried this process on my other computers and the registry numbers match the OEM codes I know I have installed??

The machine was bought originally from a well known non Ebay supply store and I know the owner and her husband neither have the knowledge or ability to reinstall an OS.

What should I do apart from contacting Microsoft?

See the pic to see results

 

[DavidE]

If it's the Manufacturer's OEM install, the key won't match what is on the COA sticker (unless someone manually entered that key).

You can post an MGADiag report in the SF Windows Updates & Activation sub-forum
http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ne-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html

On your machines where you have done the install and entered the activation key, the report and the COA sticker should be the same.

 

[Ztruker]

The key you see with Speccy is the BLK/VLK (Bulk License Key / Volume License Key) the manufacturer uses and is not supported for a reinstall. You MUST use the key from the COA sticker.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok it is all a bit convoluted it seems to me and so as I am assuming the code I am getting from the registry with that How to Geek run is the bulk licence and as Z has said the install when I do it must use the sticker. What I don't really get is why is there a code for the manufacturers install and yet another one on a sticker??

Why Microsoft has it so to use again convoluted is a bit beyond my understanding and leaves me wondering why the sticker code is not the one I find in the registry using that script in that article. I am going reinstall on a spare drive and use the sticker to see if it will activate ok and use it before I wipe the original drive just as a precaution.

If absolutely necessary I shall install a fresh OEM for her and then there will be no doubts re the install. I have to say this has been quite a learning experience and thanks to everyone for helping out I do appreciate it

As by the by I might just run that diag for the hell of it David and se what anyone or maybe even me make of it. Because the install as far as I know was on the machine when she bought it in the store and is as is on the day. I know for a fact that her and her husband have no idea of what a reinstall is let alone do one and as far as I know I am the only one that has done any cleaning up on this machine since putting on the security for them.

 

[AddRAM]

The sticker is for the end user John, by law it has to be there, the other key is what they use at the factory to mass activate windows.

The end user can use the code on the sticker to activate windows on a re install over and over again.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

The sticker is for the end user John, by law it has to be there, the other key is what they use at the factory to mass activate windows.

The end user can use the code on the sticker to activate windows on a re install over and over again.

So I get it now the sticker is the code I use or anyone else with one for reinstalls as pertains to that particular machine's install.

The other code I was generating is what the factory uses to activate the machines as they pass along the production line - so the How to Geek article is only telling me what the factory used to activate in en mass and not in fact what individual machine's code is.
In effect each machine activated in say one batch of machines would have that readable code in Speccy and that article process and the individual machines in that batch and then each get a unique code (and sticker) for the owner.

So in truth that How to Geek article is not strictly correct - it is only generating a batch / lot number of installs and not the machines actual code which is on the sticker.
This begs the question why do that? because the How to Geek process regarding the registry is only helpful to a factory in letting them know what batch / day month that particular machine was manufactured and installed with Windows.
I would have thought they could have just installed Windows and forget about putting that confusing second code on the machine because that info is of no earthly use to me as the end user.
Hmm and here am I thinking I have stumbled over a good way of finding the activation code if the sticker is unreadable.

 

[DavidE]

I agree, Windows licensing is confusing, convoluted, etc.
imho I think MS is trying to "minimize piracy" and still accommodate OEM PC manufacturers, large business, etc..

I think You, me, or any HOME USER, only "usually" needs to understand OEM SLP and OEM COA keys.

The manufacturers mass produce PCs by the thousands and need some type of "universal key" for this.
That is the OEM SLP self activated key that is used at the factory, or using Manufacturers Recovery media.
They also must include an individual user key (before Win 8) and that is the OEM COA key you see on the sticker.
YOU (the user) can use the OEM COA key to clean install...it is the PC owners personal key.

I think Ztruker is mistaken in post #10, BLK/VLK keys are not used by PC Manufacturers.
Those keys are for "large organizations" purchasing a "Mass key" for many PCs they own.
And, BLK/VLK keys are not used in Win 7...Win 7 has KMS Client and Volume MAK keys.

Now move on to Win 8 and the rules have changed again...
Win 8.x works differently than Win 7 (and before).
And, from what I've read recently, the Win 8.x rules changed yet again ...

Have I added enough confusion ?

I was writing this and you posted again with another question

This begs the question why do that? because the How to Geek process regarding the registry is only helpful to a factory in letting them know what batch / day month that particular machine was manufactured and installed with Windows.
I would have thought they could have just installed Windows and forget about putting that confusing second code on the machine because that info is of no earthly use to me as the end user.

I believe that is what has been done with Win 8.x and UEFI.
The key is built into the BIOS for OEM PCs, there is no COA sticker key.

I'm not a license/activation guru, this is just my understanding

 

[ICIT2LOL]

David the diag report I just ran and it comes up with that registry code and not the sticker if you se the earlier pics I posted

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-4F8HK-M4P73-W8DQG
Windows Product Key Hash: Xs1iQgVeo0C+sObJxS7eu+FuBPQ=
Windows Product ID: 00359-OEM-8992687-00057
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010300.1.0.003
ID: {3B5777C8-EBF4-480C-91CC-E215DD69A494}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.140303-2144
TTS Error: 
Validation Diagnostic: 
Resolution Status: N/A
Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGA Data-->
Office Status: 100 Genuine
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: B4D0AA8B-604-645_B4D0AA8B-604-645_025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_E2AD56EA-765-d003_E2AD56EA-766-0_E2AD56EA-134-80004005_E2AD56EA-765-b01a_E2AD56EA-766-0_E2AD56EA-148-80004005_16E0B333-89-80004005_B4D0AA8B-1029-80004005
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
File Scan Data-->
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{3B5777C8-EBF4-480C-91CC-E215DD69A494}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010300.1.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-W8DQG</PKey><PID>00359-OEM-8992687-00057</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-2840334949-1182137894-3292601769</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>TOSHIBA</Manufacturer><Model>Satellite L650</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>INSYDE</Manufacturer><Version>1.90</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="6"/><Date>20101111000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>62563907018400FC</HWID><UserLCID>0C09</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>AUS Eastern Standard Time(GMT+10:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>TOSINV</OEMID><OEMTableID>TOSINV00</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>100</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-002F-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><Val>C77157B62FAF18</Val><Hash>ebBi3oyKc8Qq1mkEa72ve9GZXR0=</Hash><Pid>81602-908-7317926-68344</Pid><PidType>1</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="16" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="A1" Version="12" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514
Name: Windows(R) 7, HomePremium edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: d2c04e90-c3dd-4260-b0f3-f845f5d27d64
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00359-00178-926-800057-02-1033-7600.0000-1872010
Installation ID: 010301317673577720391782175626084411187656020464467265
Processor Certificate URL: [url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338]SpcService Web Service[/url]
Machine Certificate URL: [url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339]RacService Web Service[/url]
Use License URL: [url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341]UseLicenseService Web Service[/url]
Product Key Certificate URL: [url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340]PkcService Web Service[/url]
Partial Product Key: W8DQG
License Status: Licensed
Remaining Windows rearm count: 4
Trusted time: 1/01/2015 9:16:07 AM
Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x00000000
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 1:1:2015 02:20
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:

HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: LAAAAAEAAQABAAEAAAABAAAAAgABAAEAJJRgTBKJCJ/47urOojBAFADRXF0=
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20001
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information: 
  ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
  APIC   TOSINV  TOSINV00
  FACP   TOSINV  TOSINV00
  HPET   TOSINV  TOSINV00
  BOOT   TOSINV  TOSINV00
  MCFG   TOSINV  TOSINV00
  WDAT   INTEL   Calpella
  ASF!   TOSINV  TOSINV00
  SLIC   TOSINV  TOSINV00
  SSDT   INTEL   SataAhci
  ASPT   INTEL   Calpella
  SSDT   INTEL   SataAhci

 

[gregrocker]

It still has the factory activation. As has been explained at least five times now in this thread they use a mass activation key at the factory so they don't have to put in the individual COA key on every machine they ship. The sticker provides you with your own personal key to use for reinstall that changes the activation from factory install to your install.

It says to use the COA key and shows a picture of one near the very top of Clean Reinstall Factory OEM which you said you were following.

Where are you on this now in the tutorial, John?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

It still has the factory activation. As has been explained at least five times now in this thread they use a mass activation key at the factory so they don't have to put in the individual COA key on every machine they ship. The sticker provides you with your own personal key to use for reinstall that changes the activation from factory install to your install.

It says to use the COA key and shows a picture of one near the very top of Clean Reinstall Factory OEM which you said you were following.

Where are you on this now in the tutorial, John?

Yep well sorry Greg it has been a very long battle with the security which I am very familiar with on this machine plus I don't or didn't realise that what was happening and I wish I had never found that article from How to Geek because it really threw me. I am more at home with hardware stuff really and I apologise for being so pedantic and well dumb to everyone.
I am currently wiping a spare drive for the machine as I am not so sure of the original one's integrity and downloading the x86 Windows 7 Home Pre from your tutorial link which I did mean to ask what was meant by the latest and greatest. I see the tutorial has changed bit since I last followed it but it does seem a fair bit easier to follow.
Not wanting to be making excuses but coming off a string night duty shifts and not feeling the best today is not really helping. The only good thing I have going is at the moment I am at my own place and have ADSL access where at my partners place it is just a wifi crawl pace for downloading and having extra machines to do what I have to also a plus.

 

[gregrocker]

Happy New Year, John!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Happy New Year, John!

To you too mate I have the ISO ready to go as soon as the drive is wiped about another hour to go on that and it is a faster drive too.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just to update drive wiped and ISO installed and downloading updates now as I type only hiccup was the LAN driver which I installed from the main machine via a stick.

So a really big thank you to all and I really must apologise for being such a gung ho pedantic pain.