shanenin Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 I got a fairly new dell laptop to work on. I always save a scan with belarc before formatting it. While reinstalling it prompted me for the key. I typed in the key(several times) that was on the bottom of the computer from the COA, it was rejected as invalid. I then checked the belarc report to see what the key was. It had a completely different key listed; I used that key and it installed fine. I wonder why it was delivered from dell with a COA that did not work, but was installed using a different key. I am very certain it left dell in this condition, it was not altrered by anyone else Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 I have had that same issue with many proprietary computers. That is why I always attempt to retrieve the key used with Majic Jelly Bean before reinstalling. If you use the key on the sticker or the one listed in use and have problems call the phone number in the activation box. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shanenin Posted June 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 I used the key that I retrieved. I am about to call in and activate. I hope they do not give me a problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 You shouldn't have a problem. Tell them it is the first time that the OS has been reinstalled. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xxkbxx Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 (edited) You shouldn't have a problem. Tell them it is the first time that the OS has been reinstalled.That's what you should say anyways, just to save time. Especially if you change the motherboard! Edited June 11, 2006 by xxkbxx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 You shouldn't have a problem. Tell them it is the first time that the OS has been reinstalled.That's what you should say anyways, just to save time. Especially if you change the motherboard!Exactly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shanenin Posted June 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 I have changed out motherboards on dells. I did not feel the need to make my(and my customers) life difficult and tell microsoft that. I don't feel at all dishonest about it.by the way, on an other forum I was told it is common(done on purpose) for manufactures to install windows with a different key then the COA has. I don't have facts to back that up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xxkbxx Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 I have changed out motherboards on dells. I did not feel the need to make my(and my customers) life difficult and tell microsoft that. I don't feel at all dishonest about it.by the way, on an other forum I was told it is common(done on purpose) for manufactures to install windows with a different key then the COA has. I don't have facts to back that up.Sounds like a rumor. Unless of course they have a deal w/ Microsoft where they install the same XP key on 2 billion computers, but pay for the license on each and put the sticker on it. Just a theory Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 I have changed out motherboards on dells. I did not feel the need to make my(and my customers) life difficult and tell microsoft that. I don't feel at all dishonest about it.by the way, on an other forum I was told it is common(done on purpose) for manufactures to install windows with a different key then the COA has. I don't have facts to back that up.Sounds like a rumor. Unless of course they have a deal w/ Microsoft where they install the same XP key on 2 billion computers, but pay for the license on each and put the sticker on it. Just a theory Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xxkbxx Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 I have changed out motherboards on dells. I did not feel the need to make my(and my customers) life difficult and tell microsoft that. I don't feel at all dishonest about it.by the way, on an other forum I was told it is common(done on purpose) for manufactures to install windows with a different key then the COA has. I don't have facts to back that up.Sounds like a rumor. Unless of course they have a deal w/ Microsoft where they install the same XP key on 2 billion computers, but pay for the license on each and put the sticker on it. Just a theory Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shanenin Posted June 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 But I've never ran into a CD key that didn't work for a certain version of Windows, like it does for ME and a few others. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 But I've never ran into a CD key that didn't work for a certain version of Windows, like it does for ME and a few others.you are saying my ME oem cd will not work with all ME oem COAs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xxkbxx Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 But I've never ran into a CD key that didn't work for a certain version of Windows, like it does for ME and a few others.you are saying my ME oem cd will not work with all ME oem COAs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrBill Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Had a friend who worked for Dell. All he did for 6 months was get a PC that was built to specs like the customer wanted. Then he would put in the programs that the customer selected when purchasing the PC. Said that they had programs set up for every possibility that could be had. Just had to select the program that # that fit what the customer wanted and click OK and get out of the way. Took about 5 minutes to get the HD all installed and then it was put on a conveyor belt with the order and somebody else boxed it up and out it went.Example:XP Home or Pro or versions with Media CenterMcCrappy or Norton Anything else that the customer wantedThe rest of the FREE junk that they put onNo burn in and no checking that all was fine. Said that they had maybe 1 out of 10,000 that would have a problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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