Certificate Of Authenticity: Windows XP

[luciddreams]

I just purchased a copy of Windows XP Home OEM Full. It is the Microsoft direct hologram CD, not Dell, HP, etc. It is still factory sealed.

To my surprise, it does not come with a Certificate of Authenticity. It does, however, come with a product key code.

If I hold it to the light, I can see the following under the Product Key sticker:

The Certificate of Authenticity label has been removed by your PC manufacturer and should be attached to your PC

...Given that this statement is covered by the Product Key sticker, I don't think I am supposed to read that; maybe, it is not relevant.

My concern is simple: If I open and use this disk, will I be able to install it w/o a COA? Is the attached Product Key enough? Or, is this thing useless?

Thanks for any help?

 

[mechBgon]

The product key is the thing you need. The print that is under the sticker is to tell people where to find the sticker, after it's been peeled off of there.

 

[gamesandguns]

You need to return that to whereever you got it. It's not a legal copy without the COA, disk, and manual.

 

[luciddreams]

Originally posted by: gamesandguns
You need to return that to whereever you got it. It's not a legal copy without the COA, disk, and manual.

Are you sure? It has the disk, manual, and Product Key. It was legally purchased with hardware. Is it really illegal to sell such a product?

 

[mechBgon]

luciddreams, the sticker with the code on it is the Certificate of Authenticity. More info & pics.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: luciddreams

Originally posted by: gamesandguns
You need to return that to whereever you got it. It's not a legal copy without the COA, disk, and manual.

Are you sure? It has the disk, manual, and Product Key. It was legally purchased with hardware.

What do you mean by hardware? Like a harddrive or modem? If so, then that doesn't mean squat. It does need to have the sticker on the system, which is usually located on the side or back of the computer.

 

[luciddreams]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
luciddreams, the sticker with the code on it is the Certificate of Authenticity. More info & pics.

No, what I have is certainly not a COA.

...and the hardware was a mouse!

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: luciddreams

Originally posted by: mechBgon
luciddreams, the sticker with the code on it is the Certificate of Authenticity. More info & pics.

No, what I have is certainly not a COA.

Uh... Microsoft seems to think your sticker with the product key is a COA, did you look at the link? 😀 Or are you saying someone hand-wrote the product key in the place where the COA sticker was? Clarify please 🙂 :camera:'s?

 

[alm4rr]

if it is no good, you might be able to get a legit copy from MS

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...4&threadid=1450584

 

[luciddreams]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: luciddreams

Originally posted by: mechBgon
luciddreams, the sticker with the code on it is the Certificate of Authenticity. More info & pics.

No, what I have is certainly not a COA.

Uh... Microsoft seems to think your sticker with the product key is a COA, did you look at the link? 😀 Or are you saying someone hand-wrote the product key in the place where the COA sticker was? Clarify please 🙂 :camera:'s?

Okay, here!

Here is a photo

 

[luciddreams]

...everything is under shrink wrap, by the way (even the sticker).

 

[luciddreams]

Looking carefully, the company I bought this from charges $20 more for a copy with the COA.

 

[kuljc]

that's kinda sketchy... you sure it's legit? b/c i was under the impression you HAD to give the COA and manual along w/ the cd inorder to sell it (per microsoft's rules).

 

[kuljc]

forgot to add, have you tried calling up microsoft and asking them the question you have. And if it's still ok.

 

[BriGy86]

where did you buy it from?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: luciddreams

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: luciddreams

Originally posted by: mechBgon
luciddreams, the sticker with the code on it is the Certificate of Authenticity. More info & pics.

No, what I have is certainly not a COA.

Uh... Microsoft seems to think your sticker with the product key is a COA, did you look at the link? 😀 Or are you saying someone hand-wrote the product key in the place where the COA sticker was? Clarify please 🙂 :camera:'s?

Okay, here!

Here is a photo

 :light:
:Q ~ ohhhh.

Yep, you're right to be questioning that. I would call Microsoft as the others recommended.

 

[luciddreams]

I called Microsoft's anti piracy hotline, but they are closed until Monday. I sent them an email--we'll see how it goes!