[Help] Given wrong Windows by PCThemes

[Gloom me]

Since we're on this topic, actually what is my rights in this.

I bought WIN7 retail. But I always change mobo as and when I like.

If MS die die don't want to 'unblock' my retail key, can I bang table? Or need to flip table?

 

[Mikiberry]

Since we're on this topic, actually what is my rights in this.

I bought WIN7 retail. But I always change mobo as and when I like.

If MS die die don't want to 'unblock' my retail key, can I bang table? Or need to flip table?

OEM means same set of hardware non transferable. If they change = goodwill only. You buy OEM computer like dell the windows can transfer out? (you cant)

 

[enenyi]

Oh dang!

Means got chance my WIN7 retail still can be used?

How manual phone activation works??

(WTS: WIN8.1 Pro key from reddit)

1) When prompted to activate Windows by Win7, select the 'activation by phone' option. A screen will pop up asking you to call the Microsoft hotline and a string of numbers will appear on screen (divided into chunks of 6 digits, should have 8 or 9 groups of these chunks, I forgot).

2) Dial the Microsoft hotline (800 852 3543 for Singapore)

3) Go through the automated voice machine process. At no time should you press the button to contact the operator.

4) You should reach a stage where the voice recognition thingy starts. Enter your product number. After some time fiddling around, I figured out that the product number is the string of numbers that appeared on the screen, not the original product license key that only contains letters. U can try their lousy voice recognition or just simply key in the numbers using the phone keypad.

5) A confirmation key (a string of numbers grouped into 8-9 groups, each group having 6 digits), will be read out to u by the voice automation machine. Enter the entire string of numbers onto the screen prompt. Press continue to validate the numbers. After that, Win7 will be activated. U can also save the confirmation key somewhere so u dun need to go through the dialling process again next time, since the confirmation key will be the same no matter how many times you re-activate (as claimed by the automated voice machine).

 

[Gloom me]

OEM means same set of hardware non transferable. If they change = goodwill only. You buy OEM computer like dell the windows can transfer out? (you cant)

I bought retail. Not OEM.

 

[Gloom me]

1) When prompted to activate Windows by Win7, select the 'activation by phone' option. A screen will pop up asking you to call the Microsoft hotline and a string of numbers will appear on screen (divided into chunks of 6 digits, should have 8 or 9 groups of these chunks, I forgot).

2) Dial the Microsoft hotline (800 852 3543 for Singapore)

3) Go through the automated voice machine process. At no time should you press the button to contact the operator.

4) You should reach a stage where the voice recognition thingy starts. Enter your product number. After some time fiddling around, I figured out that the product number is the string of numbers that appeared on the screen, not the original product license key that only contains letters. U can try their lousy voice recognition or just simply key in the numbers using the phone keypad.

5) A confirmation key (a string of numbers grouped into 8-9 groups, each group having 6 digits), will be read out to u by the voice automation machine. Enter the entire string of numbers onto the screen prompt. Press continue to validate the numbers. After that, Win7 will be activated. U can also save the confirmation key somewhere so u dun need to go through the dialling process again next time, since the confirmation key will be the same no matter how many times you re-activate (as claimed by the automated voice machine).

Hey thanks!

But last I called and talked to a CS, he said my retail key had already been blocked that's why I cannot activate it.

So if I use the automated phone activation... can work ah? Like they don't have a system in place that says once a key is blocked, bye bye.

 

[enenyi]

Hey thanks!

But last I called and talked to a CS, he said my retail key had already been blocked that's why I cannot activate it.

So if I use the automated phone activation... can work ah? Like they don't have a system in place that says once a key is blocked, bye bye.

I dunno, u can try. Coz blocked retail key can mean a lot of things. Either block coz blacklisted, or block coz another computer currently using it (which means previous mobo or previous instance of Windows installed), or block coz their system 'says so'. U need to try the phone activation to find out what's the 'blocked'.

 

[Mikiberry]

I bought retail. Not OEM.

retail is up to 2-3 pc, cant remember.

 

[enenyi]

retail is up to 2-3 pc, cant remember.

Don't think so. If I remember correctly, Microsoft's policy is strictly 1 pc per license, be it retail or OEM. Difference between OEM and retail is the number of times the key can be used for OS reinstallation.

 

[kandinsky]

I bought retail. Not OEM.

Just to confirm, you bought an actual retail box set, not that you bought retail key right? Bought from where sia and how much you paid?

 

[Gloom me]

Just to confirm, you bought an actual retail box set, not that you bought retail key right? Bought from where sia and how much you paid?

Yes, bought from online MS Store IIRC. Paid about 200 plus to 300. Can't remember. But I still keep the DVD and the invoice.

 

[Koenig168]

Hey thanks!

But last I called and talked to a CS, he said my retail key had already been blocked that's why I cannot activate it.

So if I use the automated phone activation... can work ah? Like they don't have a system in place that says once a key is blocked, bye bye.

A blocked key cannot be activated through the phone system. However, feel free to try.

Phone activation can work if the key has hit a certain number of activations but not enough activations to trigger a block.

 

[poooooo]

last time bought win7 oem, Change mobo to another brand due to the first 2 kena burnt during ocing lol, called them and they refused to give me a new key.

so I just use my own "key", been working fine since then, also gotten a free upgrade to win 10 ~~

 

[Koenig168]

so I just use my own "key", been working fine since then, also gotten a free upgrade to win 10 ~~

Do you get nag messages from MS to activate?

 

[kandinsky]

Yes, bought from online MS Store IIRC. Paid about 200 plus to 300. Can't remember. But I still keep the DVD and the invoice.

Like that lagi heart pain... If I paid $2-$300 plus, confirm will flip table to find out why tio blocked. If all you did was mobo change... unless you change mobo every month

 

[Koenig168]

Like that lagi heart pain... If I paid $2-$300 plus, confirm will flip table to find out why tio blocked. If all you did was mobo change... unless you change mobo every month

At least he got to use it. I paid more than USD100 for a MS Office 2010 key from Yugster and never got to use it. I was perfectly fine with MS Office 2007. When I eventually got around to installing MS Office 2010 about 3 years later, the key had been blocked and MS absolutely refused to give me a replacement even though I offered proof of purchase.

Yugster's attitude was basically "too bad, can't help ya". I have never bought from Yugster again.

 

[Mikiberry]

Don't think so. If I remember correctly, Microsoft's policy is strictly 1 pc per license, be it retail or OEM. Difference between OEM and retail is the number of times the key can be used for OS reinstallation.

I shall stay corrected:

Full Version/Retail licenses of Windows are the standard “consumer” version of Windows. If you’ve ever walked into an electronics store and saw a boxed copy of Windows on a shelf, you were looking at a retail license of Windows. These are designed for sale to average computer users who may be buying a new Windows license to upgrade their computer to a new version of Windows. It allows them to take their copy of Windows and install it on any PC they like — but it can only be installed on one PC at a time.

System Builder/OEM licenses of Windows are used by computer manufacturers — “Original Equipment Manufacturers.” Not only are they used by large computer manufacturers like Lenovo, Asus, Dell, and HP, they’re used by the local computer shop you might buy a custom-built computer from. Microsoft has swung back and forth on whether “enthusiasts” can use System Builder licenses of Windows when building their own PCs. This type of license is designed to stay tied to a single PC forever.

 

[dreamer_toons]

On the issue of activation, I have been formatting my system on the average of twice per year when I was using OEM Win 7 back then. I can't remember the number of times I activated online till my key no longer worked.

I called MS and was told I exceeded my activation attempts despite my hardware remained the same. Since then, I always have to use the phone activation whenever I do a format. At times, I would be asked why do I need to format and activate again, my reply was my system was corrupted and I was issued a new activation code again.

Upgraded to OEM Win 8/8.1, there were no issues despite I formatted my system frequently. To ease my curiosity, I called MS one day and enquired about activation and was told there was no limitation on the number of time activating Windows; regardless of OEM or retail. Only difference is retail can be transferred; aka hardware changes.

Not sure about Win 10 now. Maybe will call and ask again.

 

[poooooo]

Do you get nag messages from MS to activate?

of cos... must do some "ahem" to make it quiet

 

[Koenig168]

Not sure about Win 10 now. Maybe will call and ask again.

You can reactivate as many times as you want. Validation is now based on hardware signature rather than product key.

 

[pedokuma]

No difference between OEM and retail...
The only thing you are paying extra for is Retail offers limited tech support while OEM offer no tech support. OEM is tied to motherboard, but retail can transfer license to up to 3 motherboards as long as you remove the license from the old board. Who need tech support when you can just come here and ask...

I am using OEM win 7 upgraded to win 10. My key is about 6-7 years old, changed pc twice + formated few times, no issues here. Dealing with OEM keys is heng suay one, at most just call in, talk to them nicely and pray they reactivate.

Microsoft : With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 (No more OEM versions) you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.
OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

From Microsoft site
Q. Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?
A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

-More-
The license agreement states that an OEM copy is tied to the original computer, however you can do as many upgrades and repairs as you like, you just can't transfer it to a new machine.