View Full Version : OEM Windows License
edyzmedieval
07-10-2018, 01:45
I have an issue with my Windows license - my old laptop broke down on me (the HDD), and the Windows 7 license was pre-installed. I want to reinstall Windows 7, but I can't because of the licence being OEM and unable to be registered on the Microsoft website. OEM is the problem in fact.
ASUS told me they will charge me for the reinstallation... I won't do that.
Any ideas?
The OEM license key is encoded in the registry and you can recover it with many methods. If you have the original Windows 7 installation, you can reinstall and re-activate it.
For Windows7, at least, most big brands had their license hard coded into the BIOS. Read up on SLIC(Software License Internal Code) BIOS's if you're interested.
Basically, you just need to lay your hands on an OEM Windows7 install disc and it should be activated as soon as you install it. At least, that's how I remember it- I haven't installed Windows on anything in at least a year.
*cough*cough*LinuxMint (https://linuxmint.com/)*cough*cough* ~D
*Seriously though, if Windows is giving you trouble, check out Mint19- it's pretty sweet.
*cough*cough*LinuxMint (https://linuxmint.com/)*cough*cough* ~D
*Seriously though, if Windows is giving you trouble, check out Mint19- it's pretty sweet.
I did once, and then it always crashed on the login screen, couldn't even enter my password to get in.
Linux is probably great after you spent two years learning its entire architecture and how to fix everything in the bash or whatever.
If you just want to click colourful buttons and have a life outside your computer, you can easily get into big trouble.
Tried to set up an Ubuntu machine for my mom, so she could stream some shows every day for ~1 hour. Ran into some problems that I had to manually fix after every restart (WiFi drivers and connection). When I mentioned it to some Linux nerds, they said my fault was to restart a Linux PC...
Yeah, because for my mom to watch 45 minutes of video a day, we're never going to shut the computer down?!?
I want to like Linux, but it just won't let me. :sweatdrop:
I tried to run some Linux in virtual machines (tried different distros), but couldn't get any free remote control software to work that would let me access them properly from Windows...
Sorry, I just have to cry every time the topic comes up...
Basically, you just need to lay your hands on an OEM Windows7 install disc and it should be activated as soon as you install it. At least, that's how I remember it- I haven't installed Windows on anything in at least a year.[/SIZE]
+1
Just download an iso image and burn it, ensure it's the right edition, architecture, etc: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
I want to like Linux, but it just won't let me. :sweatdrop:
I now run Mint on my personal laptop, both of my work laptops and in a VM on my work desktop.... which runs Win10. :sweatdrop:
I also have a RaspberryPi 3b that runs Raspbian, which I use when I connect home via VPN and need to access local resources.
I've also put Mint on my wife's laptop and on a laptop for my mom. Basically, as long as Firefox is on it (and it comes preinstalled), they don't notice the difference.
I haven't had a problem I can remember where it would crash or not run stable. If it's been a few years, you might want to try a Mint live image again- a lot has changed. IMO, Mint is truly the "gateway" Linux. Comes with Firefox, LibreOffice, Gimp etc preinstalled. It's something you can install and be up and running in no time. Then, when you're ready, you can start delving more deeply into Linux.
edyzmedieval
08-06-2018, 20:28
Hmm, I have a random Windows 7 original DVD disk at home, I'll give it a try to see if it works!
edyzmedieval
08-29-2018, 22:40
USB boot key it is! All I had to do is to manually activate it by phone to Microsoft - solved!
Furunculus
11-09-2019, 10:04
For Windows7, at least, most big brands had their license hard coded into the BIOS. Read up on SLIC(Software License Internal Code) BIOS's if you're interested.
Basically, you just need to lay your hands on an OEM Windows7 install disc and it should be activated as soon as you install it. At least, that's how I remember it- I haven't installed Windows on anything in at least a year.
*cough*cough*LinuxMint (https://linuxmint.com/)*cough*cough* ~D
*Seriously though, if Windows is giving you trouble, check out Mint19- it's pretty sweet.
as it happens I have finally made the jump to opensuse tumbleweed on my desktop, now dual-booting with Win7.
been using tumbleweed on my laptop for years - but that was easy because it does little more than act as a web-browser.
so far so good, steam was ridiculously easy, and whitelisted games such as a TW games run perfectly well, as do a great number of other titles.
edyzmedieval
11-11-2019, 10:01
Windows 7 has been an excellent servant - but as I booted up my old notebook last night, I got the message as well -> Windows 7 will stop being supported in January 2020.
Time to upgrade?
Windows 7 has been an excellent servant - but as I booted up my old notebook last night, I got the message as well -> Windows 7 will stop being supported in January 2020.
Time to upgrade?
Well, the upgrade to Windows 10 was free when it come out, probably the best time to have done it. No idea if it still the case.
You have to pay for Windows 10 now - and some offers for Black Friday are quite good.
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