OS Product Keys don't match

[Jono]

Hello - I might just be missing something or misunderstanding how this works, but the product keys showing in LS for the OS's are not the same as the license sticker on each computer.

Aren't they supposed to match or are they not supposed to be the same?

Thanks for your help.

Jono

[Jono]

They are all Dell computers.

I found this on a forum that might explain:
"If you purchased your PC with Windows already installed from a large manufacturer such as Dell or HP, it’s likely that Windows was installed using an OEM key instead of the actual key for your PC. This saves them (and you) money because it’s much more efficient for these large companies to install Windows once and then clone the drive."

On another site, someone said this:
"Don't forget that the Key you extract from the registry on an OEM install is unlikely to match the Key on the CoA even though the install may be genuine as it will be the SLP activation Key for that OEM."

An explanation of an SLP installation (System Locked Preinstallation) is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Locked_Preinstallation

What I don't know is if either key can be used to reinstall the OS, if needed.

Any thoughts?

Jono

[aramsaud]

Jono wrote:
They are all Dell computers.

I found this on a forum that might explain:
"If you purchased your PC with Windows already installed from a large manufacturer such as Dell or HP, it’s likely that Windows was installed using an OEM key instead of the actual key for your PC. This saves them (and you) money because it’s much more efficient for these large companies to install Windows once and then clone the drive."

On another site, someone said this:
"Don't forget that the Key you extract from the registry on an OEM install is unlikely to match the Key on the CoA even though the install may be genuine as it will be the SLP activation Key for that OEM."

An explanation of an SLP installation (System Locked Preinstallation) is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Locked_Preinstallation

What I don't know is if either key can be used to reinstall the OS, if needed.

Any thoughts?

Jono

IF you have another PC, try installing on that one with the product key on the pc case..

[Hemoco]

Jono wrote:

What I don't know is if either key can be used to reinstall the OS, if needed.

No idea, I guess you will need to try to find it out.

[Jono]

Hi. Thanks for your reply.

Yes, the utility you referenced does match LS. Could this mean that the OEM placed the wrong sticker on these computers? They are all this way so far (I checked a few). What else could this mean? Should I just ignore the sticker?

Jono

[Hemoco]

Jono wrote:
Hi. Thanks for your reply.

Yes, the utility you referenced does match LS. Could this mean that the OEM placed the wrong sticker on these computers? They are all this way so far (I checked a few). What else could this mean? Should I just ignore the sticker?

Jono

If the other program shows the same as lansweeper then most likely the sticker is wrong.
What is the brand of these computers?

[Hemoco]

Can you try this freeware utility to see if it matches the lansweeper serial number: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html