Two CD key do I need both?

[Crazyhands]

I have decided to format my hard drive on my Asus laptop. It came preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Premium. I do not want to use the recovery partition because it will install all the bloatware that came with my laptop. I used a CD key finding program and I am using a OEM Asus windows 7 key. I also have a certificate of authenticity sticker with a different CD key on the bottom of the laptop although some of the letters have worn off and are unreadable.

If I use a friends Windows 7 Home Premium CD to install windows on my laptop can I use the Asus OEM windows 7 key or do I have to use the CD key which is on the stick on the bottom of the laptop?

 

[Britton30]

Yes you can use the friend's install DVD. You need to use what ever key the system used from the factory. Key finders often display the key the maker used to install the OS, which is different than the true activation key. The key printed on the sticker would be the correct one.

 

[Crazyhands]

Bummer

Thank you

 

[NoelDP]

Computers that come pre-installed with Windows from large manufacturers usually come with two Product Keys.

OEM SLP: This is the key that came in Windows (from the factory). It works by connecting to a BIOS flag (the SLIC table) found only on computers from that Manufacturer. It also checks for the existence of proper matching licenses in the OS itself. Once it sees both, it self-activates every time the machine is rebooted.

COA SLP: This is the key seen on the sticker located on the side, bottom or in the battery compartment of your machine. This key is for use if the OEM SLP self-activation stops working for whatever reason, and for use when installing Windows from retail media.