software validation

[southwalker]

My wife and I have both have laptops, almost identical.

I purchased a copy of Windows 7 for both machines but a year or so
apart.

I neeed to reload her machine, using a clean start as I want to give
her machine to my grandson.

I still have both win 7 disks and the original packageing but I don't
know which copy went with which machine,

Is there a way to check the validation codes that were entered when
the win 7 was originally loaded?

Thanks.

 

[Ken Springer]

My wife and I have both have laptops, almost identical.

I purchased a copy of Windows 7 for both machines but a year or so
apart.

I neeed to reload her machine, using a clean start as I want to give
her machine to my grandson.

I still have both win 7 disks and the original packageing but I don't
know which copy went with which machine,

Is there a way to check the validation codes that were entered when
the win 7 was originally loaded?

Thanks.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html


--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[Joe Morris]

My wife and I have both have laptops, almost identical.

I purchased a copy of Windows 7 for both machines but a year or so
apart.

I neeed to reload her machine, using a clean start as I want to give
her machine to my grandson.

I still have both win 7 disks and the original packageing but I don't
know which copy went with which machine,

Is there a way to check the validation codes that were entered when
the win 7 was originally loaded?

If the machines are brand-name products with the OEM version of Windows 7
loaded at the factory, there must be a Certificate of Authenticity pasted to
the outside of the cabinet showing the complete 25-character product ID.
This ID is probably NOT the same one that was used to build the actual
image, but you'll need the one on the sticker when you reload.

Regardless of whether the machine has a CoA pasted to it or it's attached to
the packaging, Microsoft has a mechanism to display the last five characters
of the product ID used. Open a command window (it does not have to be
elevated) and issue the command:

SLMGR /DLI

The command will immediately complete; a few seconds later a window will be
displayed showing a number of license-related items, including:

Windows version
License mechanism description (retail, evaluation, KMS, etc)
The last 5 characters of the product ID
License status
For time-limited activations, time remaining

For anyone needing it, all of this informtion can be programmatically
recovered via WMI.

Joe

 

[...winston]

"Joe Morris" wrote in message If the machines are brand-name products with the OEM version of Windows 7
loaded at the factory, there must be a Certificate of Authenticity pasted to
the outside of the cabinet showing the complete 25-character product ID.
This ID is probably NOT the same one that was used to build the actual
image, but you'll need the one on the sticker when you reload.

Regardless of whether the machine has a CoA pasted to it or it's attached to
the packaging, Microsoft has a mechanism to display the last five characters
of the product ID used. Open a command window (it does not have to be
elevated) and issue the command:

SLMGR /DLI

The command will immediately complete; a few seconds later a window will be
displayed showing a number of license-related items, including:

Windows version
License mechanism description (retail, evaluation, KMS, etc)
The last 5 characters of the product ID
License status
For time-limited activations, time remaining

For anyone needing it, all of this informtion can be programmatically
recovered via WMI.

Joe
I believe you meant Product Key (on the sticker or packaging)
Product ID is used when contacting MSFT for support (which helps them
determine if they or the OEM are responsible)

 

[pjp]

My wife and I have both have laptops, almost identical.

I purchased a copy of Windows 7 for both machines but a year or so
apart.

I neeed to reload her machine, using a clean start as I want to give
her machine to my grandson.

I still have both win 7 disks and the original packageing but I don't
know which copy went with which machine,

Is there a way to check the validation codes that were entered when
the win 7 was originally loaded?

Thanks.

Just redid two name brand pcs (a Compaq and a HP)reasonably old now
witrh fresh clean install of Vista. Used same disk for both pcs and just
entered the code on the sticker on the side of each. One installed Home
Premium the other Home Basic. Jist is - don't think which disk you use
matters that much.

I did notice disk did not allow an upgrade just a clean install.

Only thing with laptop might notice is if it needs specific drivers may
be included only on the proper disk. So what? Download the driver after
the fact. In my case, both pcs had everything "known" and no additional
drivers required.

 

[Ken Blake]

My wife and I have both have laptops, almost identical.

I purchased a copy of Windows 7 for both machines but a year or so
apart.

I neeed to reload her machine, using a clean start as I want to give
her machine to my grandson.

I still have both win 7 disks and the original packageing but I don't
know which copy went with which machine,

Is there a way to check the validation codes that were entered when
the win 7 was originally loaded?

See the other relies you've gotten re the Product Keys. But also note
that the two DVDs are identical, and it doesn't matter which one you
use.

 

[Ken Springer]

Just redid two name brand pcs (a Compaq and a HP)reasonably old now
witrh fresh clean install of Vista. Used same disk for both pcs and just
entered the code on the sticker on the side of each. One installed Home
Premium the other Home Basic. Jist is - don't think which disk you use
matters that much.

My understanding is, which could be wrong, is the DVD's for Vista are
all the same, which version gets installed is entirely dependent on the
product ID. Same for Win 7.

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[southwalker]

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Thanks, Belarc worked.

 

[Ken Springer]

Thanks, Belarc worked.

You're welcome.

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[Robin Bignall]

My understanding is, which could be wrong, is the DVD's for Vista are
all the same, which version gets installed is entirely dependent on the
product ID. Same for Win 7.

My wife's laptop (W7 Home Premium) is totally corrupted. Does what you say mean
that I could use my W7 Ultimate disk, do an upgrade install, and enter her
laptop sticker number?

 

[Ken Springer]

My wife's laptop (W7 Home Premium) is totally corrupted. Does what you say mean
that I could use my W7 Ultimate disk, do an upgrade install, and enter her
laptop sticker number?

If what I've been told is true, that would be correct.

There's no recovery partition on her computer? That's where I'd start
if I was considering reinstalling the operating system. I doubt using
your disk would install any info to allow the computer to access the
original recovery system.

You might inquire of the manufacturer, see if they offer recovery disks
for sale. I just brought an HP back to life by spending $18 on a set of
disks. IMO, far better to do this than just "go for it" with your disk
and see what happens.

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[Robin Bignall]

If what I've been told is true, that would be correct.

There's no recovery partition on her computer? That's where I'd start
if I was considering reinstalling the operating system. I doubt using
your disk would install any info to allow the computer to access the
original recovery system.

So a W7 update install is not the same animal as an XP repair install?

You might inquire of the manufacturer, see if they offer recovery disks
for sale. I just brought an HP back to life by spending $18 on a set of
disks. IMO, far better to do this than just "go for it" with your disk
and see what happens.

The manufacturer called while we were out today and I'll see on Monday what they
propose. Thanks for the info.

 

[Gordon]

If the machines are brand-name products with the OEM version of Windows 7
loaded at the factory,

From the OP's post:
"I purchased a copy of Windows 7 for both machines but a year or so
apart."
In other words the machines did not come with Windows 7 pre-installed.

 

[...winston]

Product Key not Product ID
- two different codes and two different character lengths

Rt. Click 'My Computer' then Properties to see the Product ID
- its adjacent to the option to 'Change product key' but it is **not** the
Product Key used for installation/reinstallation.

The Product ID code is used for support from Microsoft (free or fee based
and determines who is responsible MSFT or OEM)


--
....winston
msft mvp mail


"Joe Morris" wrote in message If the machines are brand-name products with the OEM version of Windows 7
loaded at the factory, there must be a Certificate of Authenticity pasted to
the outside of the cabinet showing the complete 25-character product ID.
This ID is probably NOT the same one that was used to build the actual
image, but you'll need the one on the sticker when you reload.