Faded Windows activation key on bottom of laptop - what should I do?

Sunbed

Sunbed

Sunbed

Soldato
Joined
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Manchester
Hi

I've recently formatted a friends laptop for him and reinstalled Windows as it was behaving badly. Howver, stupidly I didn't write down the key beforehand and when I turned the laptop over to get the key I noticed it had completely faded! So I can't use any recovery option as the disk is completely formatted :(

Is my only option to contact Acer for a key? Do they keep a record of serial numbers and corresponding OS keys?
 
Are you sure an activation key is required, I've installed Windows XP & Vista on HP/Compaq and Dell computers using the OEM disc and I haven't been asked for a key (I think they might activate through the BIOS).
 
It certainly wasn't a restore from another partition as they were formatted in the installer disk options. The DVD I've got from either HP for example will install Vista onto the HP computer and not ask for the key, yet in using the same DVD on a computer I've built (just to test it worked) it asked for the key.

I'm sure I read somewhere that this was down to the Windows installer recognising something in the BIOS and therefore bypassing the key entering stage.

Either way the HP and Dell computers have had clean installs and in both cases new HDDs and haven't asked me to enter the key, and both also activated no with no problem when Windows was installed.

Edit, I should just point out that the discs I got with the HP computer weren't included in the box with all the other install discs, I phoned up and they just agreed to send a Vista OEM DVD. The Dell laptop came with an OEM XP CD - I don't know if this was purchased differently as it was a replacement dealt with through our insurance company after I foolishly closed the lid on the mouse I was using and cracked the screen, as it was uneconomical to repair, this new Dell leptop was sent out.
 
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Jamauk said:
Are you sure an activation key is required, I've installed Windows XP & Vista on HP/Compaq and Dell computers using the OEM disc and I haven't been asked for a key (I think they might activate through the BIOS).
Click to expand...

No OEM windows disc - most laptops don't come with them now (which really does my head in).

So, if you want to reinstall you have to download your own Windows 7 OEM image and use the key on the bottom (which I no longer have!).

:(
 
Sundance said:
No OEM windows disc - most laptops don't come with them now (which really does my head in).

So, if you want to reinstall you have to download your own Windows 7 OEM image and use the key on the bottom (which I no longer have!).

:(
Click to expand...
I think Jamauk was referring to a manufacturer-specific OEM installation disc, which automatically activates the installation offline using the SLP (system locked preinstallation) code embedded in the BIOS ROM.

If you can get hold of one of these discs (either from Acer, the supplier or "some other source"), you won't need the product key on the CoA sticker. :)
 
CaptainCrash said:
I think Jamauk was referring to a manufacturer-specific OEM installation disc, which automatically activates the installation offline using the SLP (system locked preinstallation) code embedded in the BIOS ROM.

If you can get hold of one of these discs (either from Acer, the supplier or "some other source"), you won't need the product key on the CoA sticker. :)
Click to expand...

Or make your own using generic Windows DVD and various other sources. Automatic activation without manufacturer bloat :).
 
Meatball said:
Or make your own using generic Windows DVD and various other sources. Automatic activation without manufacturer bloat :).
Click to expand...
I think to be fair not all manufacturer-specific discs contain bloatware - the last Dell OEM disc I used for instance was just a bog standard Windows installation, with the only added extra being a \DELL folder in the root of the drive, containing a few driver packages and some other stuff I can't recall (it was harmless, anyway).

But yes, if you can create your own SLP disc using a generic DVD (I wasn't aware of that possibility to be honest), that's a good workaround.
 
I thought you could install Windows 7 without product key? If only works for SP1 versions you can download it form *link removed*

Then continue and install *link removed* My Digital Life forum until you can make your own SLP DVD. Not found a step-by-step guide to do this for W7 yet.

Edit: Links removed.
 
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I have a few OEM disks and only 2 actually ask for a Serial, the rest dont.

I find this a bit sweet actually but a couple seem to know that they are gettign installed on teh right PC.

For example the XP Media Center disk came with an old Fuji and it worked great on that fuji until I upped the BIOS. It then failed.

I got a Vista Prem Disk that is from a Laptop and it works on that laptop just fine but if I use the disk on any other system, it asks for the serial.

I crack every single one of my systems anyway, so its not really a biggie, but in all cases, I use the disk that allows me to skip the serial entry and instaled of entering it later on, I just crack the things.

Ands yes, I have legal lineces, this is a naughty thing for sure, but it just makes thign seasier and quicker for me really... I cannot be bothered to enter serials when a double click will be just fine.
 
Thanks for the PMs guys. Just for info it is a Acer Aspire 6930Z and Vista Home Premium (I said Windows 7 by accident before).
 
Im pretty sure there is a way to see what key is currently being used in Windows, I may be wrong but I thought it is hidden somewhere in the registry. Using 'regedit' you can find it. Try googling for a guide. Be careful in the registry though, dont go changing or deleting anything!

EDIT: Just re read the OP, you cant do it, ignore me!
 
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