Solved Product key

[t-4-2]

No idea which forum I should have posted this question, so I picked General Discussion.

Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop
Vista Home Premium OEM license
Bought directly from Dell 4 years ago.

Ran Belarc Advisor today.

Belarc shows a different product key of my Vista Home Premium than the one at the bottom of my laptop.

Can someone explain why ?
Is it possible that my computer was a upgrade from XP ?

screenshot of system properties.....

 

[richc46]

You need the key at the bottom of the computer
The other key is a mass production key, used by your computer manufacturer to install OEM Operating Systems.

 

[t-4-2]

You need the key at the bottom of the computer
The other key is a mass production key, used by your computer manufacturer to install OEM Operating Systems.

Thank you.
That is a surprise !
I had seen many threads in other forums saying that Belarc can help users locating un-readable OS product key.

Even a MS MVP posted that as an answer to the OP who needed the key to re-activate the computer, but could not read the worn-out numbers.

So, they were giving wrong answers ?

 

[Brink]

Hello t-4-2,

No, they are not wrong. Either key number would work, but it would be best to use the one on the bottom of your laptop or back of computer since it is only good for your specific computer.

I would recommend to place a piece of clear tape over the product key sticker to help protect the number from wearing off, and of course to write the number down and keep it somewhere safe.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[richc46]

Ill tell you the source of my information and you decide. There have been at least a half of dozen similar questions in the Seven Forum and well respected members gave the answer that I did.
I have used Belarc to help others with this scenario. They installed the OS and could not locate the key.

 

[t-4-2]

You need the key at the bottom of the computer
The other key is a mass production key, used by your computer manufacturer to install OEM Operating Systems.

Hello t-4-2,

No, they are not wrong. Either key number would work, but it would be best to use the one on the bottom of your laptop or back of computer since it is only good for your specific computer.

I would recommend to place a piece of clear tape over the product key sticker to help protect the number from wearing off, and of course to write the number down and keep it somewhere safe.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thank you to both.

That clears the cloud.

 

[richc46]

Im glad that your problem was easy to solve, good luck.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. I'm glad that we could help.