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new cd key for every computer?

Tags:
  • Windows
  • CD-Rom
  • Computers
  • Business Computing
Last response: in Business Computing
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October 13, 2013 2:52:48 PM

this may sound like a stupid question but iv always wanted to know. Do PC repair shops have to purchase a new windows key everytime someone wants them to reformat their computer, if they don't have disks.

for example, if i brought my pc into a shop and said i wanted it reformated. (didint bring disks)

just was wondering how that all works, guess i would pay the price of the new windows key, and price of them to install. so like 150 dollars?

More about : key computer

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October 13, 2013 2:57:08 PM

They can use their own discs to install Windows. If you have your own Windows license key then you can use any Windows disc to install Windows. It's possible to use software to find your CD-Key if you don't have it written down anymore too, but I cannot link software like that to you on these forums.

You can get Windows 7 or 8 for around 100 dollars or cheaper if you do need a new key. They should be able to recover it if you don't have it written down, just ask them.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $88.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-13 17:55 EDT-0400)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $99.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-13 17:56 EDT-0400)
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October 13, 2013 2:59:08 PM

Wel lyou should have a sticker on the side of your case to get the key from, which is what I usually do. If they don't but their windows seems legit, I'll put the key using a tool to get it from the registry and reinstall with that.
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October 13, 2013 3:00:08 PM

Computer (right click)---> properties -----> product ID. Installing windows isn't a problem, the product id/cd key is,
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October 13, 2013 3:04:36 PM

WarWolverineWarrior said:
Computer (right click)---> properties -----> product ID. Installing windows isn't a problem, the product id/cd key is,


That's not it. your product ID is not your CD key. Two different things.
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October 13, 2013 3:06:16 PM

getochkn said:
WarWolverineWarrior said:
Computer (right click)---> properties -----> product ID. Installing windows isn't a problem, the product id/cd key is,


That's not it. your product ID is not your CD key. Two different things.


I wouldn't know. I use fake cd key and WindowsLoader after.
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October 13, 2013 3:11:44 PM

WarWolverineWarrior said:
Computer (right click)---> properties -----> product ID. Installing windows isn't a problem, the product id/cd key is,


Windows CD-Key is a 25 digit number pattern for your Windows registration.

The product ID is just an identifier based on your 25 digit serial combination key.
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October 13, 2013 3:13:41 PM

JGriffith9601 said:
this may sound like a stupid question but iv always wanted to know. Do PC repair shops have to purchase a new windows key everytime someone wants them to reformat their computer, if they don't have disks.

for example, if i brought my pc into a shop and said i wanted it reformated. (didint bring disks)

just was wondering how that all works, guess i would pay the price of the new windows key, and price of them to install. so like 150 dollars?


With a few small regional exceptions for legal and localization reasons, Windows installation disks are universal. One Windows 7 installation disk can be used to install Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. The same is true for Windows 8 in that one installer image is good for Windows 8, Windows 8 Professional, and Windows 8 Enterprise. Most shops just keep a couple universal 32-bit and 64-bit installation disks on hand.

The correct edition can be determined from the key that is entered at installation time. If no key is entered the correct edition must be selected from a list, and then activated with the correct key afterwards.

Editions aside, there are also different licencing schemes. The most common ones are Retail, OEM, and Volume.

Retail keys are transportable between machines and are not bound to any particular hardware. In order to be compliant with the terms of the licence a single retail key may only be used on a single computer at a time.

OEM keys are not transportable between machines and are bound to a software licence certificate embedded within the system's firmware. It's possible to upgrade components, but swapping the motherboard or upgrading the system firmware may necessitate that the OS be reactivated over the phone. Migrating an OEM licence from an old machine to a new one is generally not allowed per the terms of the licence.

Volume licences are used by large institutions and companies to licence a large number of devices at once using a single key or licence server. Keys can be purchased in bulk, or the same key can be used in bulk. Migration is allowed indefinitely as long as the concurrent number of activations does not exceed the number of licensed seats. Volume licensed installations cannot be transferred to new owners.

If you have a device that was purchased with Windows preinstalled then it should have a Microsoft Windows Certificate of Authenticity sticker located somewhere on the chassis. If you purchased an OEM copy of Windows and installed it yourself, you should have one of these stickers. These are sometimes found underneath the battery on laptops. This key belongs with the device (it cannot legally be severed or transferred) and can be used to reactivate it.

If you have a device that is home built and you installed a retail copy of Windows, you can either ask the repair shop to skip activation and simply select the correct edition, or provide them with the key.
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November 14, 2013 11:35:40 PM

Beware of this spam. That site is almost certainly a scam. Would you trust a web site that purports to be USA-based but is owned by someone in Panama?

If it looks too good to be true then it is.
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November 15, 2013 6:50:28 AM

Ijack said:
Beware of this spam. That site is almost certainly a scam. Would you trust a web site that purports to be USA-based but is owned by someone in Panama?

If it looks too good to be true then it is.

You are right, all the posts they have link to similar websites.
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