OS Licensing question

[wseyller]

How does a computer repair business handle OS reinstall for customers who have a license already but don't have their original disk.

For example if the customer has a dell laptop with an XP pro product key what do I use to reinstall their OS. Do I have to have an OEM windows xp pro disk, or could I use a retail version to do the install and then use their product key to activate.

Basically to cover every situation what does the repair shop have to cover every Windows OS version, every edition of that OS, and every license type (retail, OEM). Do they have one copy of each? How do they handle this?

 

[Raduque]

You have to have the OS disk that corresponds to the OEM. For your Dell example, you'd need a Dell XP disk.

Or, you'd simply do a Restore using the factory provided restore image (the hidden partition, accessed using F11 on Dells).

 

[corkyg]

A retail disk with the customers key ID should work.

 

[Nothinman]

A retail disk with the customers key ID should work.

Have things changed with regards to that in Vista/Win7? Because I know that Office and XP discs would only accept certain types of keys. It was always a huge PITA to find a disc that would accept a key I had when doing an install.

 

[JackMDS]

Every body above is Right, and might be Wrong too.

Why? Because there are differences in the commercial deals that are made between OEM vendors, and at times different within versions of hardware of the same vendor.

So you try, and if something works you are lucky, if Not you buy a new CD.

People should think a head, if you lose something it might cost you.

I do not think that if One lost a $100 bill the goverment gives him another Bill, or allows to copy from another bill.

.

 

[Chiropteran]

I do not think that if One lost a $100 bill the goverment gives him another Bill, or allows to copy from another bill.

.

Install media isn't what you pay for though, you pay for the license, which is usually not lost since it's typically a sticker on the computer case on an OEM system.

My understanding is that for Vista and beyond, any install disc will work with any key ,as long as the version is correct as far as home premium, business, ultimate, etc. It doesn't even matter if it is 64 bit or 32 bit. If the key has recently been activated you might have to call MS rather than do the automatic activation, but it should work. For older OS, such as XP, it's a bit more difficult, you need to have the correct OEM version for a key, I'd assume a professional computer repair shop would keep several versions of this on hand. Or maybe they'd charge the customer for a new OS.

 

[JackMDS]

Install media isn't what you pay for though, you pay for the license, which is usually not lost since it's typically a sticker on the computer case on an OEM system.
.

This is true, however many vendors sell a copy of the media for small charge.

Example from HP support site.

HP computers that ship with Microsoft Windows XP do not come with recovery CDs. Instead, they use a hidden space (partition) on the hard drive to store the recovery information. The use of a separate partition provides a convenient process that eliminates the use of recovery discs that may be lost or scratched. Recovery discs for Windows XP are available from HP for a minimal cost. Go to the section "Related support " for ordering information. Your computer may also contain Recovery Creation software.

If one is a person that tend to lose things then when you buy your computer buy it from the vendor that offer this option.

What I am trying to say it that we all got in to habit that we have No responsibility what so ever, and we automatically blame others.

The blame here (if any) is on the person that lost it.

.

 

[wseyller]

The hidden partition is nice to have if available. I used a Dell laptop I had as an example, even though I really have the disk.

My dell laptop came with an XP Pro SP3 disk and Vista Business SP1. the product key on the bottom has vista written on it. But Xp was preinstalled. No see no product keys written anywhere. So does xp & vista use the same license key, wtf. Also it comes with a Drivers disk Also this laptop does not have that hidden partition which I have seen on other dells.


The reason I ask all of this is because I will offer to do reinstalls of windows. I know that three other places locally said they could reinstall it no problem with only the knowledge that the laptop is dell, it has the product key on the back, and the disk is lost.



Edit:

Ok so far I have in my possession:

Windows XP Home Retail with SP3
Windows XP oem (works on dell) with SP3

Windows XP Pro Retail with SP3
Windows XP oem (works on dell) with SP3

So I should be covered with most any windows xp. Is that right? Would the above OEM disks work with others brands besides Dell that may not have a restore partition, but do originally include a disk.

Also info I read regarding windows xp: Each type of license has a different installation CD. For customized or retail media, there is a small difference on each type of disc that will allow that installation disc to accept only one type of product key.

 

[bruceb]

With XP you had to match the OS CD to the type of license
XP Home (retail)
XP Home (oem)
XP Pro (retail)
XP Pro (oem)
For OEM on Dell or HP or other large companies you would
still need to call in to activate unless you used a specific OEM
cd from the pc maker, such as Dell or HP

For Vista or Windows 7 I don't think it matters what version is
on the computer, as long you select the proper version when
installing (Home, Premium, Ultimate) etc. And while the license
key for Vista / Win 7 will work with either 32 or 64 bit OS the
install DVD is seperate for 32 bit or 64 bit versions.

Your Dell specific OS CD will only install and activate on a Dell
due to BIOS checks. You can modify the file that checks to see
if it is a Dell or not in the BIOS, but then the install key built into
the OS would be a Dell code, being used on say a HP computer
who should have its own code. So you can remove the BIOS check
and then activate manually or you should be the same cd set for HP
as you did for Dell. You can customize the Dell file with the information
specific to what HP would use. You would need to see the files on a HP cd to do this.

 

[Lonyo]

Install media isn't what you pay for though, you pay for the license, which is usually not lost since it's typically a sticker on the computer case on an OEM system.

My understanding is that for Vista and beyond, any install disc will work with any key ,as long as the version is correct as far as home premium, business, ultimate, etc. It doesn't even matter if it is 64 bit or 32 bit. If the key has recently been activated you might have to call MS rather than do the automatic activation, but it should work. For older OS, such as XP, it's a bit more difficult, you need to have the correct OEM version for a key, I'd assume a professional computer repair shop would keep several versions of this on hand. Or maybe they'd charge the customer for a new OS.

I'm not completely sure about the Vista/7 thing.
I did an in-place upgrade of my Vista 32 OEM HomePrem to Win 7 32 HP using a full/retail disc, and didn't put in a key. I had a license for 7 Pro and put that into Windows Anytime Upgrade and it gave me a Win 7 Pro install.
When I tried to upgrade using my Pro upgrade disc from 7 HP, it told me I needed to use WAU in order for it to accept it, but after doing that it was fine.

 

[Raduque]

My dell laptop came with an XP Pro SP3 disk and Vista Business SP1. the product key on the bottom has vista written on it. But Xp was preinstalled. No see no product keys written anywhere. So does xp & vista use the same license key, wtf. Also it comes with a Drivers disk Also this laptop does not have that hidden partition which I have seen on other dells.

Well, that's weird. Possible the BIOS has the SLIC for both XP Pro and Vista Biz? In which case, you'd need either a Dell XP Pro SP3 cd or Dell Vista Biz cd. However, if the machine came with both OSes, it should come with both licenses, otherwise Dell is breaking it's licensing agreement with Microsoft.

If you use the key on the bottom of the machine you'll need to activate it. If I were you, I'd get the Magic Jellybean Keyfinder and write down the pre-install XP Pro cd key and re-install with that key.

 

[wseyller]

Well, that's weird. Possible the BIOS has the SLIC for both XP Pro and Vista Biz? In which case, you'd need either a Dell XP Pro SP3 cd or Dell Vista Biz cd. However, if the machine came with both OSes, it should come with both licenses, otherwise Dell is breaking it's licensing agreement with Microsoft.

If you use the key on the bottom of the machine you'll need to activate it. If I were you, I'd get the Magic Jellybean Keyfinder and write down the pre-install XP Pro cd key and re-install with that key.

Actually I bought 3 of these for my company. Only major difference is I have a 15 inch lcd and the other two are 14 inch, but the same family otherwise. Of course all 3 came as I mentioned. I bought them from newegg. The hidden partition I am not sure of now that I think about it. I believe on mine it is possible I remove it for myself personally. I will check the other two if they have a hidden partition with a backup any OS. On mine I do remember that I did a clean reinstalled of windows xp on mine to remove the dell crap. I just can't remember. Maybe it didn't ask for a key?? The other two I left the orginal installation of xp pro alone. I definately didn't want to remove xp use vista.


But on the main subject of the thread, it seems for now I will just collect as many copies of different editions as I can. If I don't have it they I may just make sure the customer has their disk. Then maybe I'll just make a copy of it for future use. The only thing I don't want to happen is use a customers computer as a guinea pig to see if a particular disk will work with their system & license key. I would hate to reformat then have to say, "oh sorry my disc don't work with your computer". Then I feel obligated to go buy them a retail disk for my mistake.

bruceb: Thanks for your info. Very helpful

 

[Chiropteran]

I'm not completely sure about the Vista/7 thing.
I did an in-place upgrade of my Vista 32 OEM HomePrem to Win 7 32 HP using a full/retail disc, and didn't put in a key. I had a license for 7 Pro and put that into Windows Anytime Upgrade and it gave me a Win 7 Pro install.
When I tried to upgrade using my Pro upgrade disc from 7 HP, it told me I needed to use WAU in order for it to accept it, but after doing that it was fine.

Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant any full version. Upgrade versions should have a different set of keys and obviously can't be used to perform full installs (although I have heard of methods to do so, they don't seem to be intended).

In XP, OEM copy of XP using your retail product key won't work if you have the OEM media, you need a valid OEM key. Further, I think in some cases you even need to have the same SP level key. Based on Dells we had here at the office, some of the old product keys from XP before SP1 wouldn't work with the more recent XP discs that have SP3 built in. In Vista or Windows 7, you can use any oem or retail key on any CD, as long as they keys are from full versions rather than upgrade versions, and SP level should never matter.

 

[Ray06492]

I use my XP Home OEM disks on any PC that has an OEM Home license.
I use my XP Pro OEM disks on any PC that has an OEM Pro license.

I've been doing that for about 5 or 6 years.

 

[Emulex]

xp uses slic1/slp - oem discs look for a string to identify the machine as belonging to the oem disc

vista/7 uses slic2.0/2.1 - a cert exists that matches a key that matches a cert on the oem media - that matches a manufacturer key

google royalty oem and slic to learn about how it works. for vista/7 you can pretty much have 1 or 2 discs and reinstall the appropriate o/s version for any machine delivered with that o/s (oem installed).

xp is a little more of a pain but you can figure it out if you choose to.

you can figure out the driver situation yourself.

regardless - you can always pay to order the replacement media for that particular machine if you choose as well - mostly.

 

[DrGreen2007]

You need a Dell XP CD in order for it to auto activate itself when installing since it sees the correct dell bios info.
One reason i keep the Dell CD's handy, have all of them, XP Pro 1/2/3, XP Home 1/2, Vista Basic, Premium, Business, Win7 HP x64