Windows 7 Pro Product Key 2

[fj80alex]

Hi - product key label shows one product key and after running belarc advisor (

http://www.belarc.com)it

shows completely different product key? Say, if I want to install a 64-bit version (currently 32-bit), which product key should I use? Also, will I have a problem with activation?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[rclarke250]

I take it this is an oem computer, if so, this is normal, you use the key that is on the COA. All OEM's like Dell, and HP have one image for several model of computers, and they will all have the same key. Look closely at the COA, some 32 bit versions were just 32 bit versions, if that is what it says, you will get an error if you try to use it with 64 bit.

 

[strongm]

Actually, you are not allowed to upgrade 32-bit OEM to 64bit. If it was a retail license, you would be allowed to

 

[goombawaho]

If you reinstall on a Dell or and HP with a Dell or HP media, you usually don't have to even enter the key code. The CD knows the PC.
Link

Actually, you are not allowed to upgrade 32-bit OEM to 64bit. If it was a retail license, you would be allowed to

But no one would ever know, so like, wink wink.

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[edfair]

goom's comment:
"If you reinstall on a Dell or and HP with a Dell or HP media, you usually don't have to even enter the key code. The CD knows the PC."

Fine for the install but I found that on 7 Pro that it upchucked shortly thereafter on the activation, where it needed the right COA.

This an attempt at 7 PRO with hardware that was originally for XP in answer to a previous question about activation with a cloned drive.

XP didn't have the same tight restrictions.


Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[goombawaho]

I would defer to edfair as most of my "reloads" were on XP machines with matching Dell/HP media. I haven't done enough 7 reinstalls with the OEM disc to get a feel.

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[strongm]

>The CD knows the PC

The OEM CD/DVD, unlike retail, ships in either 32bit or 64bit, not both. So, you couldn't install the 64bit version even if you were happy (as goombawahoo seems to suggest) to break the terms of your Windows license.

 

[edfair]

You can find whatever you need available on the street. Based on my experience with 7P it will install, but it will upchuck. It will be looking for a valid 64 keycode which the OP doesn't have.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[strongm]

>You can find whatever you need available on the street

Sorry - are you joining in the piracy advocacy? Can we try to avoid that on these forums?

 

[goombawaho]

Though per the license it's not kosher, I'm suggesting a user revolt here. Install 64bit if you want. It's not hurting anyone if you're running the 64bit version if licensed for 32bit. Besides, they don't put a lable on the COA to make it easy for you. It's like jay-walking vs. all the bootleg XP machine in China. Forest/trees, though you are correct in the letter of the license.

Can we try to avoid that on these forums?

Sure, let's turn away from real world issues and challenges and not speak of anything that confronts the real "men behind the keyboard".

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[edfair]

stronggm's comment:
"Sorry - are you joining in the piracy advocacy?"

Nope, reacting against the "make life hard for legitimate users" attitudes. Although I did say the install media was available I also noted that it wouldn't work.

If anything I am probably more "anti-piracy" than most. After nearly 30 years of working in and around the MS licensing issues I'm becoming more convinced they are an impediment to people being able to use their computers as well as they could.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[strongm]

Ah, the infamous "It is not hurting anyone" defence.

>Sure, let's turn away from real world issues and challenges

You can discuss the idiocy or iniquities of various licensing strategies to your heart's contents in various forums on this site. However, actively suggesting to people that they should deliberately breach the terms of such licenses is frowned upon by the owners of this site.

> "make life hard for legitimate users"

How is it making hard for a user to require that they buy a license for 64bit, when they bought a heavily subsidised 32bit OEM version? It isn't like it is difficult. And as I pointed out, if it was the non-subsidised retail 32bit version, then both the DVD and the product key support a free upgrade to 64bit quite happily.

 

[edfair]

I don't have any problem telling someone using the OS that they should have a license for it. Just don't have a ready source for then to go to for purchase.

My experience with 7 is limited. 4 machines, all purchased in the last month. None powered up yet. So I may get deeper.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[goombawaho]

is frowned upon by the owners of this site.

Wimpy, wimpy, wimpy.

Closing eyes. Nope don't see any piracy or anything bad going on in the world. Closing mouth. Won't discuss anything uncomfortable. Life is great!!!

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[cdogg]

Just to vouch for ed fair, he's been on this site longer than me! And in many cases, he has warned new guests on countless occasions about the policies on this site and has flagged his fair share of threads for removal. So I'm sure he has a good understanding of the rules.

Anyhoo, I can reassure everyone that an HP laptop that was originally licensed for XP will not allow a Windows 7 install to activate without first entering a valid product key. It will install but not activate. There are some exceptions with laptops that were dual-licensed for Vista and XP for the first year Vista was available, but Windows 7 was just outside of that window.

-Carl
"The glass is neither half-full nor half-empty: it's twice as big as it needs to be."

[tab][navy]For this site's posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[fj80alex]

Well, thank you for all your comments. Would be nice to have a 64-bit version, but 32-bit with 4GB of memory is ok too and I decided not to purchase Win 7 Pro retail version. I restored the IBM ThinkPad T410 to factory settings using Rescue and Recovery partition. Again, thanks for all the replies!! Cheers!

 

[strongm]

>Closing eyes. Nope don't see any piracy or anything bad going on in the world. Closing mouth. Won't discuss anything uncomfortable. Life is great!!!

There is no problem discussing these issues on this site, as I've already suggested. However, advocating piracy here on the completely valueless argument that it gets advocated elsewhere really is. And the site has every right to suggest that such advocacy be done elsewhere, and not here.

 

[strongm]

>Just to vouch for ed fair

My comments were more aimed at goombawaho than at edfair