Confused about a Windows License

[Canadian Tech]

I'm going to ask a question but I'm cringing in fear, hoping I don't sound too stupid or get slammed for asking it. My question is this:

I had a customer's computer that I had to do a wipe and reinstall so I used a couple of programs to get the Microsoft product key. In any case the product key found was for Windows Pro but the product key found on the side of the system was different and it was for Media Centre Edition. My question is why the different product keys? Now this system is owned by a 16 year old that isn't very bright and doesn't know much about computers and neither does his father. They wouldn't know how to put a different operating system on it other then what it came with. The reason I checked the product key was because I have a hard time seeing the code on the stickers on the side of the systems I have to use a magnifying glass to read them.

I'm still a little confused about the different Microsoft licenses and I have never come across 2 different product keys on a system before. When I did the restore it didn't ask for a product key so I didn't really worry about it but I'm just curious if anyone else has come across this or knows why this is. Oh and yes i'm A+ certified and I'm NOT a pizza Tech.

 

[14049752]

The installed Key is different because the manufacturer created an image with a volume license/oem key and then just loaded that image on the hard drive.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

Well, I would say at some point, XP Pro had to have been installed. Maybe they got the computer used from someone who had done it, or any number of things. If you're using a reliable keyfinder, I'd pay attention to what it says. What version does System Properties give you? That should help.

-Rance

 

[abe]

The installed Key is different because the manufacturer created an image with a volume license/oem key and then just loaded that image on the hard drive.

how would that explain the installed os being xp pro and the coa on the box being mce, maybe they owners purchased it after it had been reinstalled.

 

[seedubya]

There could be a few different reasons for this e.g.
he had it repaired before and THAT tech didn't have an MCE disk and so installed a XP Pro with a corporate key.
A friend "upgraded" it for him
or whatever.

Bottom line is - they key on the case is the key you must use UNLESS he has a retail OS which supercedes this.

 

[14049752]

how would that explain the installed os being xp pro and the coa on the box being mce, maybe they owners purchased it after it had been reinstalled.

Oh, I missed that part.

MCE is based off of Pro. When you use a Key reader, some of them say that it's a "Pro" key.

If the product installed IS pro, then yeah...what everyone else is saying might apply.

 

[Bryce W]

"Excuse me, but has someone else worked in this computer before me and reinstalled Windows? a friend, cousin, a computer technician or a store?"

{doesnt really matter what their answer is}

"It seems that the copy of Windows that was installed was for Windows XP Pro but the copy you own is Media Center Edition. Perhaps you bought a copy of XP Pro from a retail store like Best Buy? No?"

{if yes, get CDKey on retail box and install}
{If no, continue}

"Legally, the only one I can install is Media Center which I believe is actually better than XP Pro for a home user since it has the Media center features. By using your legitimate CDKey it also allows you to update Windows since its not detected as a dodgy copy. If it can update fine it means less viruses etc."

As others mentioned, keep in mind that some key identifiers may read MCE as XP Pro since MCE is based off Pro. If you remember the web 2.0 blue and kinda reflective start menu then it was MCE installed.

 

[hondablaster]

Hi,

Some of this is conjecture, but can prompt further research.

I installed a legit copy of MCE 2005 on my friends hp/compaq. As it was installing it listed itself as XP professional. I thought my disk was a dud but doing check it was MCE 2005.

I have found out some things that MCE is built from XP PRO so unless your doing MY Computer >Properties everything else reports XP PRO.

About the serial. I also found if you use a HP/COMPAQ disk on a legitimate HP/COMPAQ you don't need a serial AT ALL. It uses the bios check sums and knows if it is the right PC or not. Which i found to be neat. After installing the Compaq MCE 2005. I check everything it passes WGA and everything I could find reported it to be legitimate. Then I went forward to see what the serial number was..... IT WAS NOT THE SAME AS ON THE SIDE!!!! I can only speculate that it uses an imaged/generated serial from the install.

This may or may not be what your talking about.... And CanTech..... I'm afraid of getting slammed for something seeming stupid myself. Its sort of a social minefield sometimes.

NOTE: if you try to install it on a none HP/COMPAQ you will need a serial.

 

[Canadian Tech]

I purposely didn't tell anyone that it was in fact an Acer System and I used the recovery partition on the hard drive to restore the system. It makes sence to me that they would use an image of the hard drive to install the OS but at the time it didn't make sence to have 2 different product keys.

And CanTech..... I'm afraid of getting slammed for something seeming stupid myself. Its sort of a social minefield sometimes.

I may not have the experience that most of you guys have and yes i'm still learning. Especially the business side of things, but lately i'm afraid to say anything the way people are getting slamed around here. I'm sorry but I thought I could learn from you guys but you don't learn anything if you don't ask. Just had to add that, now I will shut up about it.
I thank you guys for your input, I really do appreciate it.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

@honda - That's good to know. I didn't realize that with an OEM disk not needing key entry, it would generate it's own key. That would definitely explain the difference CanadianTech was seeing.

I'll file that tidbit away for future reference.

 

[14049752]

@honda - That's good to know. I didn't realize that with an OEM disk not needing key entry, it would generate it's own key. That would definitely explain the difference CanadianTech was seeing.

It doesn't really "generate" it's own key. The key and activation files are already on the discs. You can do this for Dell, HP/Compaq, and a couple of others if you have their specific discs.
The installation just checks the bios DMI information to confirm the manufacturer, and if it matches up the system is pre-activated with one of the volume license keys I mentioned. If it doesn't match, it acts just like a normal OEM disc.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

Ah thanks for clearing that up. I'd installed OEM disks on PCs before, but never really paid attention to what key was used by the system internally. I just knew I didn't have to enter one.

-Rance

 

[Canadian Tech]

I didn't realize it did that either

 

[Reset]

Well its good that you got the other key from the system before you wiped it because i have noticed that sometimes when you restore the os from a oem image or cd the key will not work that's on the case i had this problem with a dell laptop. and still to this day the key will not work.

This is just my opion we all are still learning no one knows it all just keep at it and youll do just fine

 

[hondablaster]

You mean you guys didnt know this already!!?!?!?!? You must be pizza techs.?!?!?!?!?!? My grandma knows this. Im the PC god and I have been using computers since they were big file cabinets with a million flashy light bulbs everywhere and making pointless beeping computing sounds, like on star treck. In my day a floppy drive was also a blanket I could sleep under, and a plate I could eat off of. Now days everything is small and efficient, what the point if it doesn't need constant maintenance.

Ive been doing these since the Hickory 5500 back then PCs didnt need electricity. You punk pizza techs have it easy. You wouldn't last a second in this industry 2000 years ago.

 

[MrUnknown]

honda, YOU had it easy, my first computer used a rock and chisel!

 

[Canadian Tech]

lmao...Nice try you guys aren't that old. I on the other hand remember when computers had punch cards. My first computer didn't even have a floppy drive instead it had a cassette tape player.

 

[seedubya]

The first 5 or 6 types of computers I ever used had cassette tapes. I say "used" because we could not afford a home computer so these belonged to school and friends. In no particular order Apple][e; VIC20, ZX80, 81 and Spectrum; Commodore 64, Amiga. The Apples had floppy disks.

 

[purple_minion]

The first 5 or 6 types of computers I ever used had cassette tapes. I say "used" because we could not afford a home computer so these belonged to school and friends. In no particular order Apple][e; VIC20, ZX80, 81 and Spectrum; Commodore 64, Amiga. The Apples had floppy disks.

The real question is if you ever finished Oregon trail! I always either died, or we ran out of time for the computer lab. Always so damn close! Also if I ever shoot 1000lb of meat, I'm backing up the damn wagon and loading it until the axles break!

 

[MrUnknown]

lol. yeah I am not that old sadly.

I have an older friend who did work with punch cards. His stories both amaze me and make me wonder how the technology ever got so far after having to deal with them.