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Windows Reinstall cd has a different product key

post #1 of 7
3/25/07 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
I just noticed that the reinstall windows cd that came with my laptop has a different product then what is printed on my laptop. Looking at the cd contents, i nooticed the product key is:
[UserData]
ProductKey="P8xxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxT3"

when the product key on my laptop is F7xxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxFY

anyone else noticed this?
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post #2 of 7
3/25/07 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shof515
I just noticed that the reinstall windows cd that came with my laptop has a different product then what is printed on my laptop. Looking at the cd contents, i nooticed the product key is: [UserData] ProductKey="P8xxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxT3" when the product key on my laptop is F7xxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxFY anyone else noticed this?
Well when I got my system last week, there were some sort of numbers on the sticker that sealed the os cd. But it didnt really look like a serial as it was not in the right format. BUt i thought it was. Got a little smarter then realized the real key was under the laptop. That number on the sticker was just some code or something i think.
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post #3 of 7
3/25/07 at 8:34pm
Thread Starter 
Theres a product OEM key on the bottom of the laptop, then theres also another key in the WINNT.SIF file(i386 folder on cd) that dont match the number on the laptop
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post #4 of 7
3/25/07 at 9:28pm
Don't worry, the key in that WINNT.SIF file is a special volume key for OEMs. It activates based upon an identifier in the computer's BIOS. If you don't have a Dell system, that disc will ask you to activate, and it won't with that particular product key. You should NEVER have to use the key on the bottom of your Laptop unless you're using a non-dell CD to install.
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post #5 of 7
3/25/07 at 10:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrEvil
You should NEVER have to use the key on the bottom of your Laptop unless you're using a non-dell CD to install.
Hows that when the key on the bottom is an OEM key which i heard wont work with regular cds like retail and that you usally have to repackage the retail cd into an oem disc unless that key on the bottom acts an identifier and activates windows for yall
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post #6 of 7
3/26/07 at 2:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shof515
Hows that when the key on the bottom is an OEM key which i heard wont work with regular cds like retail and that you usally have to repackage the retail cd into an oem disc unless that key on the bottom acts an identifier and activates windows for yall
Yep. I've try installing a WinXP Pro Retail using the product key below my laptop and the key is not accepted
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post #7 of 7
3/26/07 at 2:58pm
Retail discs are different from OEM discs, but any OEM disc will accept the key on the bottom of your system.....However Microsoft has eliminated any differentiation with Windows Vista discs. A single Vista DVD can install any version of Vista depending on your key.
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