Different Vista product keys on sticker and via Jelly Bean

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nehmo
  • Start date Start date
N

Nehmo

Using Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0 http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
, I get a Vista product key that's completely different than the one
on the sticker on the Toshiba L505D-S5965 laptop.

It's very unlikely Windows was reinstalled, but I am not the first
owner. Is that the only explanation?

~ Nehmo
 
Big manufacturers (called OEM's) have a single key for each model they make.
Such Windows are preactivated and the end user does not need to activate
again. However, if the machine fails in such a way that the replacement of
motherboard is required and a different (newer) motherboard is delivered,
the Windows will become deactivated due to substantial hardware change. In
that case, customer will have to change the product key and activate
Windows. That's why you get the sticker. Besides that, OEM's must affix the
sticker (called COA - Certificate Of Authenticity) to each unit with
preinstalled WIndows.

In any case, I would recommend you note that key because it can get worn
pretty soon out if it's on the bottom of your laptop. Better still, take a
photo of the bottom of your laptop. In case it gets missing, you can prove
it's yours etc.
 
Big manufacturers (called OEM's) have a single key for each model they make.
Such Windows are preactivated and the end user does not need to activate
again. However, if the machine fails in such a way that the replacement of
motherboard is required and a different (newer) motherboard is delivered,
the Windows will become deactivated due to substantial hardware change. In
that case, customer will have to change the product key and activate
Windows. That's why you get the sticker. Besides that, OEM's must affix the
sticker (called COA - Certificate Of Authenticity) to each unit with
preinstalled WIndows.

In any case, I would recommend you note that key because it can get worn
pretty soon out if it's on the bottom of your laptop. Better still, take a
photo of the bottom of your laptop. In case it gets missing, you can prove
it's yours etc.
Click to expand...

Actually, the sticker is already worn. I think I got the correct
reading, but I'm not sure if a 6 is a G and an R is an H. But anyway,
why doesn't the sticker match the Jelly Bean result?
~ Nehmo
 
Nehmo said:
Using Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0 http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
, I get a Vista product key that's completely different than the one
on the sticker on the Toshiba L505D-S5965 laptop.

It's very unlikely Windows was reinstalled, but I am not the first
owner. Is that the only explanation?

~ Nehmo
.
Click to expand...

No. The install from the factory was done from an image with it's own
Product Key. The key on the sticker is the "license" that was purchased when
the computer was first sold. If the hard drive fails and takes the recovery
partition with it, or if a factory install or factory recovery disk is not
available; you can make an install from an unbranded Microsoft Vista OEM
install disk and use the product key on the sticker.
 
No. The install from the factory was done from an image with it's own
Product Key. The key on the sticker is the "license" that was purchased when
the computer was first sold. If the hard drive fails and takes the recovery
partition with it, or if a factory install or factory recovery disk is not
available; you can make an install from an unbranded Microsoft Vista OEM
install disk and use the product key on the sticker.
Click to expand...

Would I _also_ be able to install Vista anew using "an unbranded
Microsoft Vista OEM install disk" using the product key from Jelly
Bean, that is, the original product key from the factory install? And
how would I get such a install disk? Is there a way of making one now?
I didn't get an install disk with this lap. But I didn't get one with
my previous one either, and I got that lap from a retail store.
~ Nehmo
 
Nehmo wrote:
Actually, the sticker is already worn. I think I got the correct
reading, but I'm not sure if a 6 is a G and an R is an H. But anyway,
why doesn't the sticker match the Jelly Bean result?
~ Nehmo
Click to expand...

Possibly because the current Windows installation isn't the original
version that came with the notebook, despite your "very unlikely" comment.

Are you having an activation problem or are you just curious?
If the latter don't worry about it. If the former you should be able to
activate by phone.

Bill
 
Nehmo said:
Would I _also_ be able to install Vista anew using "an unbranded
Microsoft Vista OEM install disk" using the product key from Jelly
Bean, that is, the original product key from the factory install? And
how would I get such a install disk? Is there a way of making one now?
I didn't get an install disk with this lap. But I didn't get one with
my previous one either, and I got that lap from a retail store.
~ Nehmo
.
Click to expand...

No, the product key found by the keyfinder won't work with the unbranded
install disk. You would have to borow a disk from someone you know and make a
copy of it. Vista is on a DVD and you would have to copy to blank DVD media.
You could buy a new disk from a retailer and also get a new key (expensive).
Your laptop probably comes with a recovery partition on the hard drive. Go to
the Toshiba website and download the instruction manual for your model
laptop. The machine can be recovered from the recovery partition (follow the
instructions) if the original hard drive is still in the machine and it
hasn't been wiped by a previous owner. You should also be able to make a set
of recovery disks from the recovery partition. This can be done only once; if
a previous owner has already made a set, you won't be able to. (read the
instruction manual) You can probably purchase a set of recovery disks from
Toshiba for a lot less than you could buy a new unbranded Microsoft Vista OEM
DVD, because you are not paying for a new license.
 
Nehmo wrote:

<snipped>




Possibly because the current Windows installation isn't the original
version that came with the notebook, despite your "very unlikely" comment..

Are you having an activation problem or are you just curious?
If the latter don't worry about it. If the former you should be able to
activate by phone.

Bill
Click to expand...

I'm not having an activation problem, but I'd like to be prepared if I
need to reinstall Vista. I have to read up on installing from the
recovery partition.
And yes, I'm curious.
~ Nehmo
 
Nehmo said:
Using Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0 http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
, I get a Vista product key that's completely different than the one
on the sticker on the Toshiba L505D-S5965 laptop.

It's very unlikely Windows was reinstalled, but I am not the first
owner. Is that the only explanation?

~ Nehmo
Click to expand...




If you had a factory-installed OEM license, and hadn't since
reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is that of the drive image
used at the factory and not the specific Product Key for that OEM
license; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not
be -- used for a re-installation or activation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
Nehmo wrote: > Using Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0 http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
, I get a Vista product key that's completely different than the one
on the sticker on the Toshiba L505D-S5965 laptop. > > It's very
Click to expand...
unlikely Windows was reinstalled, but I am not the first > owner. Is
that the only explanation? > > ~ Nehmo
 
Back
Top