Vista key recovery

It seems that the key on my OS is different from the key posted on the back of the laptop:

I've been carrying my T400 around in my backpack for around 2 weeks since I got it, and the key on the back of the laptop is mostly unreadable now.

I went and downloaded a few programs that could recover keys, and two separate programs gave me the same result. This would be great, except that the small bit that I CAN read (about 20% of it) does not match what these programs reported.

Is this common with laptops (this is my first)? I'm just worried about what will happen if I want to do a reinstall of Vista at some point.

 

The laptop key that comes preinstalled/recovery dvd is not the same as the one under your laptop. The preinstalled key is a OEM factory key, if you do a system restore you will not need to provide a key as your copy of windows is preactivated. The key on the bottom of your laptop is for clean instal with a regular window dvd.

 

So they give you an OEM key and a retail key?

 

So what if I do want to do a clean install? Can I use the OEM key, or am I just screwed?

 

the OEM key cannot be used to instal windows at all, it comes with preactivated windows restore dvd's. if you need to do a clean install you will unfortunately have to use the key under your laptop, I would suggest you call lenovo tech support and see if they have a record of your vista key.

 

Maybe you want to write down before it's gone if you can. It's one of the first things I do when I get a new PC/Notebook.

 

Writing the key down wont work. It's an OEM key. I went through all this. You have to use the ABR http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore program to copy out the key and some other file if you want to do a clean install. Search around here or look at the clean install guides. They discuss this as an early step.

I recommend everyone make a backup of this key. That way if you have trouble with Lenovo images, you can always resort to using a regular Vista disk, install everything, then restore the key with the ABR program.

Lenovo won't help you activate the key that on the bottom. They'll tell you to use the recovery image. They tell you to send the laptop back. One support guy alluded to the APB hack on the web, though. In fact, the key on the botom isn't even a valid format for entering it on a new install.

IF you use the ABR program, youll see the key that it copied into a text file and that it's in a different format than what's on your machine.

 

Thank you for all the info. So just to be clear, you're saying I can use this ABR program to back up the activation junk for my OEM key, and then use it for a clean install of Vista?

That is good news, I'm glad I didn't wait until I was forced to reinstall to resolve this - I'll make sure and do a backup of those things ASAP.

 

FWIW, while I backed up the OEM key using ABR, I also had no issues reinstalling and activating with the key on the sticker on the box.

 

It's always worked for me, Vista or XP.

 

What keeps you from using Vista on two computers (one with OEM key, one with retail key)?

 

Your conscience, perhaps?

The OEM key is a convenience for installation for the manufacturer. You generally are only purchasing one license when you buy an OS with a computer. The associated product key for that license is the one printed on the sticker on the bottom of your notebook. It is basically an insurance key. If you screw up everything, you can still reinstall a new OS from a different disk and you have a key code that is legitimate and belongs to you.

 

Interesting - usually major corporations instill better methods of anti-theft control than the human conscience. You know, in case a sociopath tries to use both keys.