The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    My brand new HP arrived without the product key sticker (for windows) under it!?

    Discussion in 'HP Business Class Notebooks' started by rezpower, Dec 10, 2012.

  1. rezpower

    rezpower Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    157
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I just received a new hp Elitebook 8770w. It has windows 7 installed and activated now. It comes with a windows7 CD + a windows8 pro cd + driver recovery cd's
    for both win 7 and 8. But there is no sticker that has the windows key on it!!! is this something new and normal? and would it have same key for both windows!!?
    some help would really be appreciated as I want to format and do a clean install of windows. But in this situation I am afraid to touch anything.
     
    rezpower, Dec 10, 2012
    #1
  2. TP_User

    TP_User Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Look under the battery (take it out).
    However, you shouldn't need the key if you are installing the CD's from HP.
    Also, there is a sub-forum here specific to HP business notebooks.

    Great machine! Enjoy it!
     
    TP_User, Dec 11, 2012
    #2
  3. rezpower

    rezpower Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    157
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thank you TP_user,

    I posted in the general hp forum as I thought it was not a question for a specific model and wanted more views.
    Anyway this is the exact laptop i got: Hewlett Packard HP Smart Buy EliteBook 8770w i7-3630QM 8GB 750GB DVD/RW 17.3" W8P # C6Y84UT#ABA
    I removed the battery and there is no windows key there either. only model number, serial number and says warranty 3/3/3
    I just want to know if this has happen to anyone else and if this is normal? should I contact hp?

    by the way this machine looks damn great! I just removed the 300mb system partition to be able to make a D drive and even with original
    windows by hp and all the crap it flies ! :)
     
    rezpower, Dec 11, 2012
    #3
  4. Sotton

    Sotton Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    591
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I guess if you have no sticker you don't need one... ;)

    The activation is done using a key in the BIOS which is read out during installation.

    I have heard this is new since W8 but it seems it also works with W7 (obviously)
     
    Sotton, Dec 11, 2012
    #4
  5. gnampf

    gnampf Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    On all new W8 devices a unique key is installed in bios. There is no COA/sticker anymore. You can acquire the key by using tools like pkeyui.exe. Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder does not always work with W8.
     
    gnampf, Dec 12, 2012
    #5
  6. rezpower

    rezpower Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    157
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks a lot guys. I thought this was a problem and that they forgot to put the sticker or some other weird thing. finally it's cool this way!
     
    rezpower, Dec 12, 2012
    #6