News - Microsoft challenged over Windows COA stickers

[HEXUS]

What do you do if you need to reinstall Windows and you don?t have your product key?

Read more.

[TAKTAK]

But you can pull the product key from within windows?

Or is this talking user has removed windows and then has no record? if so, that's their own fault...

[SirLamer]

I recently re-installed Windows Vista on a laptop which the sticker had come off of. I called Windows and said that I lost my sticker. I phoned and they gave me a new product code. Pretty painless.

Some advice: Remember to put the stick somewhere on the laptop body where not too much heat is produced. Heat will cheapen and age the adhesive bond and the sticker may eventually peel away.

I also keep my CD keys for all my programs in an encrypted spreadsheet which is automatically backed up to the Internet as well as all my other computers whenever a change is made. That way I always have a copy of all my keys somewhere.

[Splash]

It's an OEM license, support (including I assume the provision of the COA) lies with the OEM and not Microsoft.

[danroyle]

i have a laptop sitting in the drawer that someone asked me to get running again and the code was almost invisible on that was a bit of a pain.
my windows vista COA is stuck to the front of my old case didn't wanna pull the sticker off so if i ever lose all sanity and decide to reinstall it i'll have to phone him up and ask for the code. the same mate has had my last 3 cases off me when i have upgraded and had my windows xp stickers too.

[Stringent]

I have seen this happen on a few laptops. If you do get one, always make a note of it somewhere.

[Agent]

But you can pull the product key from within windows?

Or is this talking user has removed windows and then has no record? if so, that's their own fault...

You can pull it from within Windows with ease, but that's a bit of an issue if the reinstall is because the entire OS is hosed

[Jay]

I have had HP systems where the OEM code only works with the OEM disk that came with the PC, Microsoft don't want to help and HP didn't want to help becuase the PC was 3 years old..... COA is useless.

[TAKTAK]

You can pull it from within Windows with ease, but that's a bit of an issue if the reinstall is because the entire OS is hosed

View the registry from within a linux live cd?

[Splash]

I have had HP systems where the OEM code only works with the OEM disk that came with the PC, Microsoft don't want to help and HP didn't want to help becuase the PC was 3 years old..... COA is useless.

My experience of this is that it really depends on the droid you get on the phone - some are more than happy to help and will happily sell you replacement media whereas it seems that for some it's clearly just a piece of paperwork that they can't be arsed with. This applies to Dell as well, and I'd imagine any of the other major OEMs too.

[Agent]

View the registry from within a linux live cd?

A Windows install being hosed might be because of disk / registry corruption. Plus reading the registry in Linux isn't exactly an easy task for home users (and even some tech people)

[TAKTAK]

A Windows install being hosed might be because of disk / registry corruption. Plus reading the registry in Linux isn't exactly an easy task for home users (and even some tech people)

but how many home users are going to attempt to reinstall the OS?

but i see what you mean that it may not be possible, but if you manage to hose the OS and kill the COA then you're doing it wrong...

[Agent]

but how many home users are going to attempt to reinstall the OS?

Probably a fair few at one point or another. Keep in mind that restore disks often need the key inputting into them. Restore disks really ain't that scary to home users

But either way, the point in the article strads - The COA sticker isn't the most ideal way for this to be handled, the fact that you're talking about using an entirely different OS to get the key to use another one legally illustrates that brilliantly

[TAKTAK]

The COA sticker isn't the most ideal way for this to be handled

Why? you can stick it to things...

Give the user a piece of paper with the code and they will just lose it.. Giving rise to complaints in a similar nature to this...

Whatever method you use, some users are going to feel it isn't their fault that they have lost the code..

A sticker lasts alot longer than writing it in biro on your forehead

Keep in mind that restore disks often need the key inputting into them.

mine never have , from Dell, HP or Gateway, mebbe i'm just lucky

[Agent]

Why? you can stick it to things...

Give the user a piece of paper with the code and they will just lose it.. Giving rise to complaints in a similar nature to this...

Whatever method you use, some users are going to feel it isn't their fault that they have lost the code..

A sticker lasts alot longer than writing it in biro on your forehead

Since when does something being sticky define it's usefulness for a situation?

For home users a much better solution would be to print it on the disk like games, in addition to the COA, no?

mine never have , from Dell, HP or Gateway, mebbe i'm just lucky

Depends on the install. Some use a VLK.
I've had Dells where I've had to input they key in.

Either way, we can argue about users till the cows come home but it doesn't tackle the issue of this article: Obtaining a new COA / serial when this has happened can be difficult.

[TAKTAK]

Since when does something being sticky define it's usefulness for a situation?

Because it can defy gravity

For home users a much better solution would be to print it on the disk like games, in addition to the COA, no?

The best solution would be "to fall asleep" and get it tattooed on your face , you'd never lose it then