Does anybody know what I can do as far as reporting a company for issuing those fake refurb COA's? They look real but dont include a key on them. I ended up with a machine with one years ago but ever since ive always seen keys on the stickers. Or maybe microsoft has a way to pull up the COA based on that serial number on those COA's if they are real?
I have seen older versions of Windows that had a separate Product Key label from the COA/Certificate of Authenticity sticker, usually was on the case or sleeve holding the disc. Never was a problem with Win2000 or WinME and earlier. Was there a problem in Activating WinXP or Win7? Wasn't been with the two refurbs I bought but the discs for either can't be used on a different machine.
I believe Microsoft has changed the rules since the days of seperate keys to the sticker has to be affixed to the pc. If you search google you will see what they should look like. The machines ask for a code when you first power them on. As for the discs I've never had an issue but I've also not seen any refurb units come with them lately.
The newer refurbs from larger companies don't have a COA sticker with a Key on - the key is instead on paper, and the sticker is a hologram/stripe like the normal one - it should have the company name on it, I think.
I get from alot of the really big microsoft refurbishers and they always give a coa with the key on it.
Atleast from these companys, Arrow, USMicro, MTC and Sims.
These coa's dont have any company name on them. Which I do agree with you ive never seen that before. I thought it was how microsoft tracked them from selling the stickers on the black market without applying to a PC.
*Edit* also joy systems which sells under "newegg refurbished" has always had the key on the COA. I try to avoid those systems tho due to poor quality control.
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