MS Win7 OS licence question

[madman045]

AFAIK the OEM licence will only be for the version installed, which is 32bit, hence when you buy OEM, you buy either 32bit or 64bit, only a retail boxed copy of windows gives you the choice of both and you pick which one you want to install.

This will be why your home premium 32bit OEM key does not work with your 64bit retail cd

[Agent]

If you use a OEM key on a retail disk, you must activate by phone. It will always fail over the net.

The other (and better IMO) option was to use the same OEM Key that was installed on your system (not the system sticker one). You would then need to download the correct certificate and insert it (slmgr). Job done

The BIOS already contains the SLP information, so from that point things are pretty simple.

[MSIC]

The other (and better IMO) option was to use the same OEM Key that was installed on your system (not the system sticker one). You would then need to download the correct certificate and insert it (slmgr). Job done

Thanks Agent, but er... I dont understand.
Are you saying that the OEM key that came installed was not the one that is on the sticker?

The BIOS already contains the SLP information, so from that point things are pretty simple.

What is the SLP information, and how would this give me the OEM key?

Appreciate your time.

[Agent]

Got to keep this brief as I'm working, but this should give you some idea:

When you buy a new machine that's pre-activated (such as a laptop or big brand desktop) you never need to authorise windows. The reason for this is what's called SLP.

SLP is known as 'System Locked Preinstallation'. It needs 3 parts for it to pass validation.

1) A valid BIOS that contains the OEM data of your manufacturer. This is present with all pre-activated machines (and also part of the puzzle that allowed Windows Vista/7 to be activated on illegal installs). You already have this in your BIOS. You do not need to do anything apart from know it's there. This (the data in the BIOS) is called a SLIC table.

2) A digital certificate. This must match the data that's in your BIOS. Given that you have no backup the most simple way to find this is through Everest Ultimate (if you have it - check the demo if not) and look for the SLIC table information. A google image search along the lines of "everest SLIC" will show you where to find it within Everest.
Now you know the name of the table, you need the matching certificate. Googling something like "Windows 7 SLIC certificates" will give you a collection of these certificates. Find the one from your manufacturer, and with the correct name (it will match the SLIC table, or close enough) and then copy it into a new directory in the root of C: (you don't have to do this - just easier).

Now you have your digital cert, you need to insert it.
Open a command window as admin. Navigate to the new dir you made. Type in:
"slmgr.vbs -ilc FILENAMEHERE.xrm-ms"
Wait a bit and you'll get a confirmation dialogue.

3) So currently you have both the valid BIOS and the matching certificate. What you don't have is the matching key you need to activate windows. You can find these very easily through Google using a mixture of the terms above. Find the one that matches your install (manufacturer + Windows 7 version), pop it into the registration box within Windows and you're done.

The above might sound complex but it's really very easy and quick. This effectively gives you a completely clean, legal, registered version of Windows 7 on your system with no crapware. You will also never need to worry about activation, as it's as if it just left the factory.

I've not provided links as some of the places it might take you to will include cracks for Windows - something we really don't want to promote. You should be able to find what you need quite easily now, if not, drop me a PM and I'll guide you through what you're unsure about

[MSIC]

Thanks buddy! You truely are a shining font of bright water knowledge. Or something.

[peterb]

Ah - no - the licence number on the sticker is for the OEM version, not the retail version. (IIRC, there are some slightly different files on the OEM version disks. For example you can't upgrade an existing installation with an OEM disk, you can only do a fresh install)

The licence type is matched to the version you are using. If the don't match, no registration. You could probably install an OEM version on the laptop - I say probably because HP (as a volume supplier) may have a customised OEM version with a specific licence type so that an OEM from (say) Dell wouldn't work. I don't know that for certain though. Can you get the OEM disk from HP?

[MSIC]

Hmm, looks like I might have to. I know a guy who says he has some sort of hp win 7 install disc, no idea how legit that is. Presumably though, if my licence key is legit (which it is) and I chose the home premium version, im good.
I'll do some further work, then post back.

For the record, Microsoft are not making it easy to be legal!

[Agent]

MSIC - do you want me to do this over remote desktop for you? It will take me a matter of a min or two

You can see what I'm doing at all times, and it'll be useful just in case you need to reinstall. Always means you can use official Windows 7 disks to (like those with service packs later on!)

[jim]

I bought an HP DM1 last week.

Installed Home Premium Retail 32-bit using sticker, activated over the telephone, all working perfectly.

[MSIC]

Sorry for the delay Agent, i've been mucking about with the new worms
I really appreciate the offer - am happy to give it a try if you are online now (PM sent). Do you use Teamviewer?
Edit .. hmm, just realised its 9.20pm, so all you monkeys should be tucked up in bed.

Snootyjim - how are you getting along with your DM1?

[jim]

All good so far, not a big fan of the keyboard but apart from that all is well.

Particularly pleased at Windows Update sorting out all the drivers first time, never had that before with a PC

[MSIC]

Funny you mention the keyboard, as I quite like it, and the lack of flex in the chasis whilst typing was what drew me to it.
Indeed, I (obviously) had the same experience installing Windows.

I must say a quick but public and genuine thanks to Agent who just helped me out big time. It's one of those 'easy when you know how' scenarios.
My hat is off to you.
Bed time now.

[Agent]

Glad it helped!

This comes up fairly common so I might do a post detailing it with screenshots as soon as I'm settled in my new place