OEM Activation Question, Vista installed, but BIOS has SLIC 2.1

I am currently doing a cleanup on a Toshiba computer which came installed with Vista. I updated the BIOS to a newer version, and one of the changes added in more recent BIOS versions, was "Updated: SLP2.1 for WINDOWS 7."

I know that I would be able to install of Windows 7 on this computer and do an OEM activation, now that the BIOS has SLIC 2.1. However, since this laptop has a COA for Vista, would this be legal?

With support for Vista ending soon I see Windows 7 as a much better and more secure option than Vista. But, I don't want to install and activate Windows 7 if it is not legal to do so.

Hi Roger,
Very intiguing, yes Bios updates can include SLIC table amendments and would certainly been included in models where downgrade rights were available and conversely when a new OS version was about to hit the market then Upgrade rights.
I suspect the latter in this case - BUT the upgrade would come via a CD and a COA key, it would not be able to use the default key currently on the computer.
The COA sticker on a machine DOES NOT stop you installing a new OS, or make it illegal todo so.

What will be interesting and THE CRUNCH will be what else its installed/changed.
The 2.1 table indicator is only ONE part of the Activation process.
You will have to use the CD COA key i mentioned above.

You are able to run W7 for a trial period of 30 days, the system will generate a default key.
If you want to try W7 on it. Go ahead, then after a week or so run this tool copy/paste the output
I'll run over it and comment.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

Roy

Hi Roy,

I know I can install Windows 7 on this computer. I can do a OEM activation where no product key is used, due to it now having SLIC 2.1. I have even done so on a spare Vista computer I have, which also had a SLIC 2.1 BIOS, and it activated with no issue. Not only will it activate, but Microsoft will see it as a genuine Windows license and it will not expire.

However, what I want to know is, even though I can install and do an OEM activation of Windows 7, is it actually legal to do so, as the computer only has a COA for Vista?

As i said
The COA sticker ONLY relates to the Vista OS, its a licence to run it period
(Its your computer - but not your OS is basically what its saying)
Nothing illegal about what your doing/going to do.

Roy

Thanks. Considering that the Vista COA is a license to run Vista, woudn't I need a Windows 7 COA or some other documentation in order to actually have a license to run Windows 7, as the Vista COA is as it see it is solely for Vista. Or, on the otherhand does having SLIC 2.1 grant me a license to run Windows 7, even though I have no COA for it.

Sure, I can install Windows 7 and activiate it with no issues, but is that legal without a COA for it?

Hi Roger,
Yes you do require a SPECIFIC COA sticker for the OS version your running.

Thats why i said earlier that a machine with upgrade/downgrade rights will have to use the CD COA sticker code.

Roy

Thanks.

On a side note, was lookin back over your problem SP1 install.
That comp certainly didnt come with W7, way to old, should have had a Retail or system builder licence.

Roy