True or false?

[Turbonium]

Scenario:

- I have a Dell laptop with an OEM version of Windows installed (32-bit).
- The motherboard dies, and I replace the motherboard myself.
- Later on, I want to do a clean install of Windows (this version will be 64-bit). I do not have the Product Key anymore, and the Key that is extracted using utilities is an OEM SLP Key (keep in mind the motherboard isn't even the original anyway).

Question:

- If I use a Dell install disc to install the same version of Windows (64-bit being the only difference), will it even ask for a Product Key? In other words, can I bypass the Product Key and activation stage by using Dell media?

 

[JWade]

as long as you use the Dell disk you will be fine, if you extracted the OEM SLP key then it means it has slic 2.1 and the dell disk will self activate when installed

 

[Turbonium]

as long as you use the Dell disk you will be fine, if you extracted the OEM SLP key then it means it has slic 2.1 and the dell disk will self activate when installed

Even if I use a Dell install disc that was never released/intended for my specific Dell laptop? (This laptop never came with 64-bit Vista, only 32-bit.)

As for the SLP Key: I was told by a Microsoft chat rep that my specific SLP Key has been "deactivated" by Microsoft. I'm not sure how true this is though, especially if it's the Key embedded in my motherboard.

 

[ninaholic37]

Sounds like Microsoft is trying to steer you towards a hassle-free Linux install. :hmm:

 

[Blue_Max]

You could always place a call the the Microsoft automated hotline where you could read them the key on your laptop and they read back an unlock code...

 

[JWade]

the key is probably deactivated by Microsoft, so that way it cant be used on non-dell systems. 32bit, 64bit, the disk looks for the same slic. if your system had vista on it, try going to dell's site and seeing if there is an updated bios for it that has support for win7 (meaning slic 2.1 in it). generally if they list win7 for a choice for drivers then the latest bios will have slic2.1 in it. slic 2.0 is vista and below.

as far as Microsoft saying the SLP key being deactivated, yes it is, because in the early days people pulled the SLP keys for all the OEM's off of systems and used them for bootleg systems, so Microsoft deactivated all the OEM SLP keys, so if you try and manually input one of them it wont activate, however when using an OEM disk on the same manufacturer machine it will still be activated when installed (will be activated and not need to contact Microsoft to be activated, even with no internet connection under system properties it will say activated)

 

[Turbonium]

You could always place a call the the Microsoft automated hotline where you could read them the key on your laptop and they read back an unlock code...

I don't know what you mean. If I had the Product Key already, I would just use a 64-bit install disc I made and I'd be fine.

the key is probably deactivated by Microsoft, so that way it cant be used on non-dell systems. 32bit, 64bit, the disk looks for the same slic. if your system had vista on it, try going to dell's site and seeing if there is an updated bios for it that has support for win7 (meaning slic 2.1 in it). generally if they list win7 for a choice for drivers then the latest bios will have slic2.1 in it. slic 2.0 is vista and below.

as far as Microsoft saying the SLP key being deactivated, yes it is, because in the early days people pulled the SLP keys for all the OEM's off of systems and used them for bootleg systems, so Microsoft deactivated all the OEM SLP keys, so if you try and manually input one of them it wont activate, however when using an OEM disk on the same manufacturer machine it will still be activated when installed (will be activated and not need to contact Microsoft to be activated, even with no internet connection under system properties it will say activated)

The motherboard already has the latest BIOS (A09). I doubt it's SLIC 2.1 though, because this laptop only ever "officially" came with XP, and Vista 32-bit.

Anyway, according to what you're saying, all I really need to do is find a 64-bit Dell reinstallation disc (Business). That should work fine.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I don't know what you mean. If I had the Product Key already, I would just use a 64-bit install disc I made and I'd be fine.

He just means that if, for whatever reason, the key didn't auto-activate with the Dell install disc, you can still call MS for an unlock code. Since you replaced a failed Dell laptop mobo, with what's almost certainly a same Dell laptop mobo, MS shouldn't take issue with helping you out.

 

[Turbonium]

He just means that if, for whatever reason, the key didn't auto-activate with the Dell install disc, you can still call MS for an unlock code. Since you replaced a failed Dell laptop mobo, with what's almost certainly a same Dell laptop mobo, MS shouldn't take issue with helping you out.

I talked to a chat rep yesterday, and the best he could do was "tell me the code/serial on your MS install disc, and I can give you an unlock code for the reduced price of $40".

Funny, since I had to clarify I didn't have a MS disc, so he just told me to contact Dell, and that didn't work out.

Anyway, how would MS know I'm not making up the whole scenario regarding a new motherboard? How would they "check" or know what system I'm even running? I'm not getting it.

 

[Blue_Max]

It should be a fully automated system, no humans, no charges.
The number comes up on your screen if there's any issues with your current key.

 

[Turbonium]

It should be a fully automated system, no humans, no charges.
The number comes up on your screen if there's any issues with your current key.

Ok, so pop in a Dell disc, go through the install, and if there's problems, I do the auto-process with MS via phone?

 

[Blue_Max]

Ok, so pop in a Dell disc, go through the install, and if there's problems, I do the auto-process with MS via phone?

It's been a year or two since I last did it, but yeah... that's how it worked.

 

[Skaendo]

Is there a difference between 32bit & 64bit keys?
Say for example I have a laptop that came with Vista Home Premium 32bit, and I want to install Vista Home Premium 64bit, can I use the same key that is on my COA?

*I found that you can in fact use a 32bit key to install 64bit VistaHP.