Windows 7 OM key help??

ValiantUK91 · 16 Feb 2015 at 16:59

Can this key be used on another computer? I have a spare hp notebook that is lying around that isn't been used screen is broke and a few keys missing. I've just built my brother a PC and i was wondering if this key can be used on it?

P.S meant OA in the title

CaptainCrash · 16 Feb 2015 at 17:11

Do you mean it's a manufacturer OEM installation? If so, "can be used on another computer" - yes, probably. "Can be used on another computer without breaching the terms of the EULA" - no.

ValiantUK91 · 16 Feb 2015 at 17:17

CaptainCrash said:
Do you mean it's a manufacturer OEM installation? If so, "can be used on another computer" - yes, probably. "Can be used on another computer without breaching the terms of the EULA" - no.

Yeah its a a HP OEM installation

Orcvader · 16 Feb 2015 at 17:39

No. The OEM key is locked to that laptop motherboard specifically. The key will not work.

tnx · 16 Feb 2015 at 17:49

In fact all windows 7 OEM keys for each manufacturer, i.e HP are the same.
The BIOS will hold SLIC2.1 for that particular maker which matches the HP CERT and key.
This new PC you have built if it does not have an original HP board the OEM key will NOT work.

So basically OEM activation depends on :
BIOS SLIC2.1
CERT
OEM key

These three bits have to match and be present.

demonix · 17 Feb 2015 at 15:49

Orcvader said:
No. The OEM key is locked to that laptop motherboard specifically. The key will not work.

Every computer before windows 8 (there might be a few exceptions, but I can't be 100% sure) would have had their OS installed from a generic image which has already been activated, so it is possible that the key can be used as long as the OS hasn't been reinstalled (that being installed from a generic install disc and not user created restore media since that is likely to be preactivated like it was when installed with the generic image used by the manufacturer) but there is still a possibility that it won't since some keys are locked to versions of windows used by a specific manufacturer so try at your own peril.

CaptainCrash · 17 Feb 2015 at 17:13

Orcvader said:
No. The OEM key is locked to that laptop motherboard specifically. The key will not work.

tnx said:
In fact all windows 7 OEM keys for each manufacturer, i.e HP are the same.
The BIOS will hold SLIC2.1 for that particular maker which matches the HP CERT and key.
This new PC you have built if it does not have an original HP board the OEM key will NOT work.

Are you talking about the "internal" OEM key preapplied by the manufacturer and locked to the BIOS signature, or the one on the CoA sticker, which is different?

I've personally seen the (CoA sticker) product key on OEM machines used to successfully install and activate Win7 on alternate hardware, so it definitely *can* work, although I couldn't confirm it will work in all circumstances. Not that I'd condone doing such a thing anyway, of course.

ValiantUK91 · 17 Feb 2015 at 19:25

Just a update after seeing various answers I just thought what the heck and tried it.

It worked fine no trouble at all thanks for the responses though guys.