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Philip2014
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June 26th, 2014 09:00
Windows 7 label faded
Hey guys,
My windows 7 label on the back of my dell laptop is kinda faded,I can make out out 10 characters of product key but the rest are hard to make out.
My dell came with windows 7 installed so I don't have disks and its a new hard drive as my last one failed so I can't check the key that way either.
Any ideas?
Philip_Yip
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Posted June 26th, 2014 10:00
Its a fairly common problem unfortunately the COAs provided to OEMs in the days of Vista and 7 were prone to fading. Fortunately the 25 digit product key of an OEM install isn't required as Dell factory settings and the Dell Windows Reinstallation DVD use system locked preinstallation for Windows Vista and windows 7. The SLP activation mechanism for Vista and 7 inputs a generic (SLP) product key and the system is activated, if and only if Dell or the OEM has validated the system BIOS for Windows 7.
You can phone Dell Technical Support to procure a Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD which includes the System Locked Preinstallation mechanism. However if you would rather a downloadable solution or have a problem procuring installation media then you can also download a Windows 7 .iso from Digital River:
This retail .iso does not include the SLP activation mechanism so install the correct version of Windows 7 and skip entry of product key. After installation follow the instructions here to use the Activation Backup and Recovery Program with Dell Files:
This will create an install identical more or less identical to a Dell Reinstallation DVD. You may also have a look through my Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows:
Philip2014
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Posted June 27th, 2014 11:00
Thanks,tried the above downloadable solution,everything worked.
Although when I activated it the windows key doesn't match the key on my label on the laptop,does that make a difference?
Philip_Yip
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Posted June 27th, 2014 16:00
:emotion-21: Great thanks for letting us know it worked. The key is different but its meant to be.
A generic SLP key is used for the Dell Windows Vista/7 OEM SLP activation mechanism. For example every single Dell system on factory settings or installed with the Dell Windows 7 Home Premium will use the same generic product key. It'll be the same as those compiled here:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/10370-Windows-7-OEM-SLP-Key-Collection
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/2581-Vista-OEM-SLP-keys
The key on your COA on the other hand is unique and can be used in the rare cases if theres an activation issue in a call to Microsoft. It is a secondary activation mechanism and isn't important when the SLP activation mechanism works correctly. Most customers never have to use it.
The COA key in the past was widely used in the past when installing an OEM license with retail media but the ABR program enables one to bring the activation mechanism of the Dell Factory Settings/Reinstallation DVD to a clean install with a retail .iso and has also proved useful in the rare cases where reactivation is required.
In short you have an install more or less identical to that of the Dell Reinstallation DVD.
Windows 11 Installation Guide
Windows 7 Installation Guide