Damaged Product Key on bottom of new laptop

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I purchased a new HP laptop running Vista Home Premium on Jan 30th. The
computer is working great, however tonight I noticed that the case I'm using
rubbed a big hole in the label on the bottom that has the Product Key and, of
course, I never wrote it down.

Will I ever need this key for anything? At the bottom of the System profile
it has a product key that contains OEM, but it's definitely shorter and not
the same as the one on the damaged label. I have recovery discs made as well
as the recovery partition but I'm now paranoid that I'm going to need this
key for something some day and I can't make out all of it.

Thanks!
--Mike
 
Since posting I found 2 other programs (SIW and Majicjellybean's Keyfinder).
Both programs came up with the same Product Key, but it's clearly different
from the one printed on the label because I can still read some of the
printed label and they don't match up. Any ideas?
 
When a computer manufacturer puts Windows on a computer they use a special
bulk key - they don't type in the key on the sticker since someone would
have to do that on the tens of thousands of PCs as each one is completed.
That's why the key on the PC doesn't match the key on the sticker. It's
normal and no cause for alarm.

I have never had to put a key into an HP computer even if I had to wipe it
and restore the software from the recovery disks so you should be in good
shape. In a worst-case scenario a call to HP should get you a key that
works even if the one the keyfinder gave you doesn't.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
Belarc found the same key as the other 2 programs, but I know it's not the
same as what's on the label because I can clearly make out 2 of the 5
groupings (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx) and the ones I can read don't match
anything that these programs pull up. Is it even worth calling HP if these 3
programs all returned me the same key?
 
vassago said:
Since posting I found 2 other programs (SIW and Majicjellybean's
Keyfinder).
Both programs came up with the same Product Key, but it's clearly
different
from the one printed on the label because I can still read some of the
printed label and they don't match up. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

The key you have found using ANY of the available key finders is just the
OEM factory install key will not work if you are required to reinstall your
operating system - you MUST get your key that was on the base of the device.
Contact the OEM as they are the only ones who can deal with your problem.
 
Thanks for the help. I was hoping I wouldn't need to make a tech support
call to India :) I won't bother calling unless something happens down the
road. Thanks again!

Richard G. Harper said:
When a computer manufacturer puts Windows on a computer they use a special
bulk key - they don't type in the key on the sticker since someone would
have to do that on the tens of thousands of PCs as each one is completed.
That's why the key on the PC doesn't match the key on the sticker. It's
normal and no cause for alarm.

I have never had to put a key into an HP computer even if I had to wipe it
and restore the software from the recovery disks so you should be in good
shape. In a worst-case scenario a call to HP should get you a key that
works even if the one the keyfinder gave you doesn't.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


vassago said:
Since posting I found 2 other programs (SIW and Majicjellybean's
Keyfinder).
Both programs came up with the same Product Key, but it's clearly
different
from the one printed on the label because I can still read some of the
printed label and they don't match up. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Mike;
Contact the manufacturer and see what they can do, probably nothing.

You probably do not need that key for installation.
Most OEMs design their recovery media so it is not necessary to enter
the Product Key.

It is normal and not a problem for the various tools to not show that
key.
The OEMs use a master image and all computers of that model
manufactured at that time use the same image and thus will display the
same key.

If the computer is new enough and you get no satisfaction, return it.
 
Back
Top