VISTA product key validation

[ag2009]

 Problem: The Microsoft product key on the notebook  is located in a very bad position.  Using the notebook on your lap causes the label with the product key to become worn and unreadable.  Microsoft issued a product key validation in one of its recent updates and because I’m unable to read the product key my daughters notebook has become inoperable.  I’ve contacted HP customer support several time and was transferred to a foreign country.  The support technician barely spoke broken English and I was told my computer was no longer under warranty and I could not get assistance with this problem.   I was told if I has the ticket number to prove that the computer had been replaced and was still under warranty that I could get assistance. Someone in HP has deleted all reference to the notebook which results in an out of warranty status. I’m extremely frustrated with HP support, because A product key has absolutely nothing to do with a warranty.  This key is unique to this computer and without the key the computer is essentially a $900.00 paper weight.   I spent 6 hours reloading this computer from the recovery drive and the Microsoft update again invalidated my VISTA operating system and without the product key, I’m back to square one. I’m writing to inform HP management that if I’m not give some kind of support for this issue, that I will never purchase an HP product, nor will I allow anyone within my sphere of influence to purchase from HP.

[12-4]

I operate a busy computer repair shop in the UK  and we are seeing more and more worn and virtually unreadable VISTA COA licence stickers - Finally, (3rd july 09)  today we encountered the first sticker COA that was completely worn out and unreadable - It was a laptop that we had been asked to reinstall windows vista which we duly did but were unable to activate the OS because the sticker number was unreadable - The customer phoned HP and was passed from pillar to post to 4 different departments with none being of any help. Microsoft's web site acknowledges the problem but advises the user to contact the vendor as the sticker licence is an OEM product that requires the vendor to support it. All previous windows licence stickers (98, ME, 2000 and XP) are laminated in someway to protect the COA number from wearing off.  Strangely - I note a SONY laptop that we have in for repair has a protective cover on the VISTA (BUSINESS) sticker licence - clearly someone in SONY had more forethought for the consequenses of the unlaminated stickers than their fellows at HP. The root cause is Microsoft and their odd decision to manaufacure COA sticker licenses that wear out - Microsoft wouldn't usually do such a thing without some thought and I suspect there is a reason behind this madness -  who knows - In any event it only effects laptops because the sticker is always being rubbed when being moved in and out of a bag or similar.  For those that pass by and read this post and have VISTA COA  - my recommendation is to either take a note of the COA code before it wears away and / or cover the COA sticker with a strip of selo tape - of course there will be those who will advise run linux and to hell with MS - It will be interesting to see what the Windows 7 COA stickers look like and how they wear - if its the same story as VISTA then the people at MS really are machiavellian sobs    

[12-4]

In answer to the initial post try to use the following programme to find the code

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

[CherylG]

In answer to the initial post try to use the following programme to find the code

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

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HP laptops (and desktops) are installed using an OEM volume key_not the license from the sticker. This is the key that will come up in jellybean and I don't think will work with retail install. There is a problem with MS validation that is causing the problem,since this key works just like a corporate license thay many large companies use to install OS on multiple machines with no activation needed.

As to the shop_why are you not installing using the Recovery Manager which would install using the embedded key & not require a key to activate? Or Recovery Disks made using Recovery Manager?

[MiguelC]

HP does not keep copies of Product Key of any notebook that they sell. It is the buyers responsibility to create a copy of 1.) the recovery CD (after creating it) and 2.) protect the information of the notebook's part number, serial number and most psecially your product key.

Now, it's very rare that if you use the recovery disc or recovery manager, that your system will still ask you to activate it, but I agree it happens. All you really have to do is use the change key feature in properties of your Computer and type in the product key found at the bottom of your notebook.

Finally, if all of this fails, contact HP support through chat (free) at HP.com or call HP support and tell the support agent that you just want to purchase a set of Recovery disc and this is available even for OOW customers like you.

Hope this helps.

[12-4]

In answer to the question why we did not use the laptop's recovery partition to reinstall - The laptop's hard drive had completely failed and was replaced hence no recovery partition nor did the customer have any recovery discs nor had he kept a note of the COA code and from our experience hardly any John/Jane Doe makes a note of the COA code  - Its not such a big deal to reinstall windows what is a pain is to find the COA code to be unreadable and when confronted with a worn unreadable licence one simply asks - WHY -  Why did MS make them in such a way

[CherylG]

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12-4 wrote:
what is a pain is to find the COA code to be unreadable and when confronted with a worn unreadable licence one simply asks - WHY -  Why did MS make them in such a way

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Good question... I have since checked my license sticker and find it is being worn away, unlike my previous XP laptop.Though I have the license key recorded along with other info, I am going to protect the sticker with tape.

Thanks for the suggestion _though  we have no advice/help for original problem of why MS is not validating the OEM key.