Are Windows Product Keys on Computers Worthless?

[RichmondTech]

I ask this because this is an optional field we have in our CRM to keep track of customer software. In my experience with doing Windows XP reinstalls, having a Dell for example wouldn't accept a XP retail disc and putting in the product key on the computer. If I use a Dell XP disc it doesn't even prompt and the install goes through. If you use a product key program the Windows key is different than what's on the side of the box. Is it even worth noting either of these product keys? Is it worth making notes for other OEMs too?

I'm not sure what it's like for Vista or Windows 7 as my customers tend to have recovery discs or a partition to restore from. I was wondering if it's even worth noting the product key on OEM boxes or if I should just note them if I'm doing custom builds for customers.

What do you think? Is the product key sticker on the computer just to show it came with genuine Windows, or does it actually serve a purpose these days?

 

[FoolishTech]

It's the most valuable piece of info on that PC...

In my experience with doing Windows XP reinstalls, having a Dell for example wouldn't accept a XP retail disc and putting in the product key on the computer.

Not a retail disk, but you can use a Dell key (or any OEM key) with ANY OEM disk...

If I use a Dell XP disc it doesn't even prompt and the install goes through.

Right... as long as a Dell BIOS is detected on the PC (otherwise you ARE prompted for a key)... but other OEMs don't have that luxury unless it's an image based install.

If you use a product key program the Windows key is different than what's on the side of the box.

Yes, because it's the OEM's special key and they have a different method of activation than what's available to us. Try to use that key with a standard OEM disk and it will let you install Windows just fine, but it will fail activation. As a PC tech doing a standard format/reload, you need the key on the side of the case to successfully activate!!!

Is it even worth noting either of these product keys? Is it worth making notes for other OEMs too?

I'm not sure what it's like for Vista or Windows 7 as my customers tend to have recovery discs or a partition to restore from. I was wondering if it's even worth noting the product key on OEM boxes or if I should just note them if I'm doing custom builds for customers.

What do you think? Is the product key sticker on the computer just to show it came with genuine Windows, or does it actually serve a purpose these days?

You bet it does! What happens if the client doesn't have recovery media, or the recovery partition on the hard drive fails, and you don't have that key on the side of the case? You end up ordering recovery media, that's what.

...and some series of product key stickers don't have the gloss over them and they and fade easily, especially on the bottom of laptops. If I see a customer come in with one of those, I'm going to see how legible the key still is and record it for them while it can still be done(!) and tell them to keep it in a safe spot, also explaining why...

 

[RichmondTech]

What happens if the client doesn't have recovery media, or the recovery partition on the hard drive fails, and you don't have that key on the side of the case? You end up ordering recovery media, that's what.

From the licensing conversations I've read here on TN is what you're supposed to do. The few times I've needed restore media I'd ordered it from the OEM.

 

[FoolishTech]

From the licensing conversations I've read here on TN is what you're supposed to do. The few times I've needed restore media I'd ordered it from the OEM.

I won't bat an eye to use my own media to do a Windows reload - I just ensure I'm using their actual product key! As far as I'm concerned, if it passes activation/validation, it's as legit as I need it to be

 

[Kitten Kong]

One other titbit of advice when it comes to coa stickers, especially the paper vista ones, is to put a piece of selotape over the sticker.

I ask my clients if it's ok to do this, explaining the reasoning behind it, only ever had one say no. (At the time I did not record coa details).

3 months later, same clients back. Hard drive error, unable to read the coa, had to resort to ordering the recovery media from HP.

Client was not happy in the least. It added another £45 to my bill.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I won't bat an eye to use my own media to do a Windows reload - I just ensure I'm using their actual product key!

Same here!

...filler......

 

[mason]

We always use our own media if the customer has a COA if they don't we offer them to purchase a windows coa but 99% of them think we are ripping them off (we make £5 per copy we sell) and always remove the pc and say i will get a mate to do it for a £5

so its hard to sell coa's if a customer has a problem with the pc and it needs a reinstall. They always come out with my mate installed it for £5 so can't you do that. When you explain why you shouldn't they still think your lying. A few do come back with its coming up with "Whats WGA" which i like

Alot of the time our media does not like a few dell coa's and most of Packard Bell COA's. not sure why

 

[tempusfugit]

For xp the phone system will activate any coa key with any disc from my experience. Ms really doesn't care about xp anymore.