[RESOLVED] Magicial Jelly Bean right or wrong

[garybeafl]

I bought a new laptop and in setting it up I thought I would install Magicial Jelly Bean to get the product ID of the computer. I did have the product ID which was printed on a label on the bottom of the unit. Magicial Jelly Bean gave me a different product ID from the one I had. So I am wondering why is it different?

[fink]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/25759..._answered.html

This is normal for basically all OEM machines. What is shown here is the universal OEM that was used to preactivate your machine in order to spare you the trouble of activating windows. Don't worry, the key on your sticker will work fine just in case you decide to reinstall Windows.

The pre-activation key comes with a Microsoft certificate and is bound to specific BIOS checksums and properties.

[garybeafl]

Thank you fink. I don't see where Magical Jelly Bean is of any use if it doesn't give you the correct product key.

[jdc2000]

It is useful for users who purchase the retail product and fail to keep a copy of the key, or for IT personnel who work on computers with the retail product installed.

[Welshjim]

Hmmm. So what is the Product Key offered by Magical Jelly Bean? ( I assume Product Key, rather than Product ID, is meant here.)

[garybeafl]

Jim
You could test this by running Magical Jelly Bean on your computer and then compare the two different product keys, one from Microsoft and one from Magical Jelly Bean.

[Welshjim]

garybeafl--thanks for the response.
It does not apply to my situation. I have a Home assembled PC. No lable on the tower. I know what Product Key was used to install Win7. I also know what Magical Jelly Bean reports. They are the same.
My question was to learn how to advise people who have commercially built PC's whether MJB's Product Key or the one on the label is more likely to work. I was just echoing your Post #3.

jdc2000's post #4 is little quizzical. Does it mean that either Product Key (label or MJB) will work?

[garybeafl]

I would say that the product key on the label is the one to use. I hope I never have to use it of course.

[Steve R Jones]

The label is there for a reason

The original key used in mass produced machines cant be re-used.

[Midknyte]

Note that some Windows discs are bios-coded by the manufacturer and do not require a product key during installation. E.G. If you use a Dell Windows DVD on a Dell computer, you would not be prompted for a key.

[garybeafl]

What if I made a Dell system recovery disc ( 3 DVD's) would that ask for a key?

[Steve R Jones]

Nope it shouldn't.... Even if it does - you got the key right there on the lappy.