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    Product key question

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Hamanu, May 27, 2007.

  1. Hamanu

    Hamanu Notebook Enthusiast

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    In order to terminate all the bloatware that came with my laptop I reinstalled Windows Vista using the disk I got from Dell.

    When I checked my product key it was some xxxx-OEM-xxx whatever :) but not the one I have written on the back of my laptop.

    Note: Vista never even asked me for a product key during the installation.

    Should I change the product key to the one written on the sticker or just stick to the one that Vista installation DVD chose for me? So far it appears that my copy is both genuine and activated since I could download updates without any problems.

    I've read on some other threads in this forum that some folks had problems with MS not recognizing their copy as genuine, after days, weeks or months.

    What should I do?

    Tnx
     
    Hamanu, May 27, 2007
    #1
  2. WackyT

    WackyT Notebook Deity

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    Just leave it as is. The Dell disc installs the Dell volume key. You had the same key when you received your laptop from Dell. The key on the bottom of your laptop is for licensing.
     
    WackyT, May 27, 2007
    #2
  3. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    Correct me if I’m wrong; from what I understand, what you get on the sticker underneath the notebook is called the Product Key and what you see in the system properties is called Product ID (which are two different things, apparently). I don’t know exactly how to explain, but in simple terms you need the Key to install the OS and an ID is generated based on that key. But with OEM disks you don’t need to enter the key explicitly, cos the installer somehow (I don’t know exactly how but perhaps from the BIOS ?? ) recognizes your notebook as a valid OEM system for that product.

    So, its perfectly alright to have two numbers (that is the way it should be).
     
    PhoenixFx, May 27, 2007
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  4. Sykotic

    Sykotic Notebook Evangelist

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    Your reinstall cd used a volume key stored on the cd that also matches your bios and doesnt require activation from MS. Your cd will not work in another brand of computer and probably wont work in a computer with alot of different hardware configurations that the one you currently have. The number from your system properties is a Product ID (PID) and the number on the bottom is a product key.
    I am not sure if there is a way to see the actual product key used in vista like there was in XP.
     
    Sykotic, May 27, 2007
    #4