Determine if a product key is Upgrade, OEM, or retail?

[ghoti.geek]

Is this possible with a given key? I ask because we do a lot of
reformat / reinstalls. Sometimes the customer has a valid key (VLK,
OEM sticker, or retail) provided with out media. I'd like to be able
to determine which media I need to use to install with the customer
info.

If it is determined that it is a priated key code, we don't service the
system. We just need a way to streamline some of our processes here.
Rather than spend days trying to find the exact media used to set up a
computer, we can use our bench copies and get the job done faster.

 

[D.Currie]

Is this possible with a given key? I ask because we do a lot of
reformat / reinstalls. Sometimes the customer has a valid key (VLK,
OEM sticker, or retail) provided with out media. I'd like to be able
to determine which media I need to use to install with the customer
info.

If it is determined that it is a priated key code, we don't service the
system. We just need a way to streamline some of our processes here.
Rather than spend days trying to find the exact media used to set up a
computer, we can use our bench copies and get the job done faster.

I don't think there's a way to tell if all you've got is a key scribbled on
a piece of paper and you've already formatted the drive. But if the OS is
still installed, you should be able to get the information before you do a
reinstall. Not to mention that if it's oem, there should be a sticker on the
case.

The information is in the registry; I forget where offhand; mostly I fix
specific problems rather than wiping and reinstalling, unless that's what
the customer wants -- and then they usually have the disks they need.

Also, be aware that with the new activation schemes, there are some issues
when using a generic oem cd with a branded oem key. The install may work,
the key and activation might work, but a while later, the customer may be
calling you to say that the system is asking for activation and won't
activate over the internet. At which point, you look bad and the customer is
annoyed. Knowing that, it may be better to just ask your customers to bring
in their disks, if you're doing that many format/reinstalls.