Windows 7 Starter CD Key unreadable

Most likely the key (COA sticker) on the computer is what is called a OEM/SLP key. The sticker is put on the computer at the factory.
It can only be used on the computer it is installed on.

I don't really know how to read a COA sticker you can't read.

I have read where people have scanned the COA sticker and then used photo editing software to enhance/sharpen/zoom in on the key to be able to read it.

If it is only 1 letter, I would call Microsoft. They should be able to decypher it.

Good idea strollin. That might work and it's free.
Another good idea whs. I didn't know Microsoft would do that. Again the phone call is free.

It's unlikely that they would - but it may be worth a try ..

However -
Your computer should have a Recovery Partition on it, from which you can return Windows to its ex-factory condition. This has its own built-in Key which self-activates.

The Key on the COA sticker is for 'emergency' use - in cases where either the self-activation system breaks down, or you are forced to reinstall using other media. It is, however, the only proof that you have a Windows license!

The Key from the COA sticker can be used as many times as necessary (within reason) but ONLY on the computer to which the sticker is attached, as it's locked to that computer's hardware the first time it's activated.

Whatever photo editing software you have available that has the ability to enhance ans sharpen an image as well as the ability to zoom in/enlarge an area of the image.

If all else fails, since it's only the last digit, you could try the brute force method where you try all of the numbers(0-9) and all of the letters(A-Z). At most you would need to try the key 35 times. However, you might get lucky and hit it right away.

derekimo said:

Even less than that, to borrow a line from Noel,

Noel said:

Note that the following characters cannot be used - A E I L N O S U Z 1 0 - so don't bother trying unless you like the noise it makes

:)

Yep - that reduces the possibilities to just 25 if one character is missing... or 625 if you've mislaid two (I got one Key that way with two missing characters - it took a while!)