Did the manufacturer do something wrong ?

[Eric]

My story is a little complex but I hope someone can help me.

Last week I purchased a pc from HP with Vista Home Premium installed.
However, I did not like some programs, some useless stuff installed by HP.
Then I wanted to format hd and install a fresh one of Vista. There was a
partition "Recovery" on hd and I had heard that I could format hd and
reinstall
Vista using this Recovery partition without losing any files. But I didn't
take it in consideration. Who cares not to lose files while formatting? Is
there anyone who doesn't backup files to a storage device before formatting?
whatever..Then I decided to format and reinstall it by myself.

Then I figured out something weird. I wanted to make sure that the product
key labeled on the machine chassis is same with the one that manufacturer
installed Vista with. But they weren't same. I checked the product key via
softwares such as Everest, Sandra and figured out that product key of Vista
that was installed by HP was different from the key labeled on the machine. I
noted them both. And I took a Vista dvd which doesn't look like an original
copy from a friend.

Then I formatted and reinstalled Vista. I entered the labeled product key
but when tried to activate it, it said the key was invalid. I installed Vista
again and tried the other key. The result was same. Both keys are invalid
regarding to Microsoft. But how can it be? I bougt it from an original
manufacturer and seem to be genuine till formatting.

Please help me! What's wrong with it? Could it be the dvd that I used? If I
try other dvds will it work? But they don't give a copy of it when you
purchase a pc!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Vista that comes preinstalled on a computer, built by a large computer manufacturer,
comes with two (2) product keys:

1) OEM SLP: This key comes inside Vista when it comes from the Factory.
This key is geared to work with the special instructions found only on that
Manufacturer's motherboards. So when Vista was installed using the OEM
SLP key (at the factory) Vista looks at the motherboard and sees the special
instructions and activates itself. (That’s why you did need to activate your
computer after you brought it home). Since this key is for self activation,
it cannot be used to activate (thru Microsoft) either over the internet or by phone.

2) COA SLP: This is the Product key that you see on the sticker on the side
of your computer. It is different than the OEM SLP key. It's a valid product key,
but should only be used in limited situations. The key must be activated
(thru Microsoft), but can only be Activated by Phone.

You can reset your Windows Vista activation by performing the following:

1. Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box type in: slui.exe 4

2. Press the Enter key on your keyboard.

3. Select your Country.

4. Follow the instructions for phone activation (no charge).

5. Once completed, restart your computer.


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows System & Performance

---------------------------------------------------------------

:

My story is a little complex but I hope someone can help me.

Last week I purchased a pc from HP with Vista Home Premium installed.
However, I did not like some programs, some useless stuff installed by HP.
Then I wanted to format hd and install a fresh one of Vista. There was a
partition "Recovery" on hd and I had heard that I could format hd and
reinstall
Vista using this Recovery partition without losing any files. But I didn't
take it in consideration. Who cares not to lose files while formatting? Is
there anyone who doesn't backup files to a storage device before formatting?
whatever..Then I decided to format and reinstall it by myself.

Then I figured out something weird. I wanted to make sure that the product
key labeled on the machine chassis is same with the one that manufacturer
installed Vista with. But they weren't same. I checked the product key via
softwares such as Everest, Sandra and figured out that product key of Vista
that was installed by HP was different from the key labeled on the machine. I
noted them both. And I took a Vista dvd which doesn't look like an original
copy from a friend.

Then I formatted and reinstalled Vista. I entered the labeled product key
but when tried to activate it, it said the key was invalid. I installed Vista
again and tried the other key. The result was same. Both keys are invalid
regarding to Microsoft. But how can it be? I bougt it from an original
manufacturer and seem to be genuine till formatting.

Please help me! What's wrong with it? Could it be the dvd that I used? If I
try other dvds will it work? But they don't give a copy of it when you
purchase a pc!

 

[DL]

If you use the recovery option, or HP supplied recovery disks you will have
the same crapware installed as was when origonally supplied
If you used another copy of Vista then the key supplied by HP will I believe
not work

 

[Eric]

I tried the key labeled on chassis, and it worked! Soon I installed Service
Pack 1, then it said the key was invalid and 3 days left to activate. So I
tried the phone activation as Carey Frisch said, it worked! Now it is
activated. But why is this so complicated! that s really annoying.

 

[Eric]

Yes, you made it almost clear but I still can't understand why Vista lost its
genuineness after installation of Service Pack 1. I had to activate it again
(it let me 3 days to activate again) after SP1.

 

[lolsonjr]

I had the same problem here with the activation disappearing with service pack 1.  Started all over again and the problem has not come back. 


Post Originated from http://www.VistaForums.com Vista Support Forums

 

[Danny Ross]

It's all described here:

http://forums.community.microsoft.c.../thread/32895dc0-436a-4f6c-87b8-4ee59a5a8338/

It's talking about Vista but the principle is the same for XP. Basically, the key you discovered using Everest (et al.) was a key used during OEM install that produces a PC that doesn't have to be activated.

'Cos that would be a big pain for PC manufacturers and big IT departments

More info is on:

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-626665.php

Personally I don't know why Microsoft bother as WGA cracks and by-pass techniques are all over the web.