[RESOLVED] Product Key and CD key

Hi All, ........... In the process of setting up my daughter's new Windows 7 computer, I had occasion to use Keyfinder, the Magical Jelly Bean program. The computer has no CD/DVDs and has the operating system pre-installed. The Jelly Bean program produced a result of the CD Key . When I compared this result with the Microsoft label on the computer case, what is listed there is called the Product Key and is completely different from the CD Key. Which is more important to be used in future Key requirements? In the past I seem to recall that I used the results of the Jelly Bean program when doing, for example, an operating system Repair. Can someone explain these differences. Thank you.

If it was an OEM system like a Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway, etc, then they probably used their own OEM key. This is very very common. It would be a big mess trying to customize each system with a specific key.

Since it has a recovery partition (you said no CD/DVDs), then you would need to reinstall Windows from there. In which case, it wouldn't ask you for a key anyway.

There is usually a utility to create recovery media, in case the hard drive dies. I recommend you do that ASAP.

Also, do make note of the jellybean key it may be helpful at some point if there are any questions or issues regarding your registered (with Microsoft) license. Do keep a copy of the sales receipt for the computer.

What is stopping people from taking a System image file and booting into an exact computer with the same specs and putting Windows 7 on a second computer?

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Originally Posted by Midknyte

If it was an OEM system like a Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway, etc, then they probably used their own OEM key. This is very very common. It would be a big mess trying to customize each system with a specific key.

Since it has a recovery partition (you said no CD/DVDs), then you would need to reinstall Windows from there. In which case, it wouldn't ask you for a key anyway.

There is usually a utility to create recovery media, in case the hard drive dies. I recommend you do that ASAP.

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So would Dell use the key from the bottom of the computer, the actual key that the Magic jelly bean shows or their own corporate key?

What Magic jelly bean shows. Although the one on the bottom should work too.

Magic Jelly Bean has a dumb name but is sooo smart. How does it do it?

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Originally Posted by jonnyb

Magic Jelly Bean has a dumb name but is sooo smart. How does it do it?

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Is this your question, or someone else's?
Reason being, whomever we tell, we would have to shoot :)

Curious George.:D

Hi All, ........... For my reply I use "All" to include each of you who took the time to answer my post. I appreciate your interest and did not expect such a large response. The source of my confusion -- besides being on the start of the Windows 7 learning curve -- is that in looking over my earlier OS CDs from Windows 3.1 to Windows XP, all have the 25 digit Product Key on their jacket and it was this key which had to be used to get the operating system to work.

Midknyte touched correctly on the OEM system which apparently has the recovery system on the D: drive. But being an old belt and suspender type I'm still concerned that should my daughter experience a computer crash and places an out-of-state call to her Dad, how Dad should reply. As far as I can tell W7 doesn't suggest how to document what's on the D: drive but I suppose I will have to generate a CD/DVD and supply this as part of her computer.

jonny's question:

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So would Dell use the key from the bottom of the computer, the actual key that the Magic jelly bean shows or their own corporate key?

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and Train's reply indicates that Jelly Bean supplies the more important key. Of course this brings up the question in my mind, what is the significance of the Product Key on the computer case (bottom?)?

If any of you would care to discuss this further, I would welcome any more educational comments before marking this post Resolved. Thank you all for your help.

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Originally Posted by jonnyb

What is stopping people from taking a System image file and booting into an exact computer with the same specs and putting Windows 7 on a second computer?

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The hardware serial numbers will be different, and it will kick in Product Activation.

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Originally Posted by shrdlu

[B]

jonny's question:

and Train's reply indicates that Jelly Bean supplies the more important key. Of course this brings up the question in my mind, what is the significance of the Product Key on the computer case (bottom?)?

If any of you would care to discuss this further, I would welcome any more educational comments before marking this post Resolved. Thank you all for your help.

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The key on the sticker on the case is the actual Windows licence for that machine. The fact that a PC maker may use a different key is just a matter of their own convenience, the key on the sticker is the one you would normally use if you were given a Windows disc.

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As far as I can tell W7 doesn't suggest how to document what's on the D: drive but I suppose I will have to generate a CD/DVD and supply this as part of her computer.

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It's not a Win7 app. It would be included by the MANUFACTURER. You didn't state make/model, so you'll have to refer to the manufacturer's website or something. All OEM systems I've seen have a reminder to burn recovery media when you first boot up the computer.

SuperSparks and Midknyte, .............. Thank you for your replies. I think I understand now what always was a confusing aspect of installing Windows.

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Originally Posted by jonnyb

Magic Jelly Bean has a dumb name but is sooo smart. How does it do it?

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MJB is the name of the very small company that makes KF. http://www.magicaljellybean.com BTW--the dictionary program no longer works, but maybe in Win 98.

Don't know about Win 7, but in XP it finds it in the registry.

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Originally Posted by SuperSparks

The hardware serial numbers will be different, and it will kick in Product Activation.

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Meaning the mobo S/N?

HDD s/n change maybe enough.

So if you have to change mobos later, does MS have a form to fill out to re-register it?

And of course I'm aware that 5 million people had their legit XP activations declared illegal by WGA. LOL.

TechRepublic: The Windows XP Product Activation guide
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...1-1055658.html

Thanks much. I was talking about Win 7, and also the article doesn't mention changing mobos. I don't want to belabor this in someone else's thread.

It's the much the same in Windows 7 (and Vista).

If you change motherboards, then Windows will almost certainly need to be reactivated. If you change hard drives, it most definitely will. Precisely what is used to determine the activation hash is, of course, kept secret, but hard drive serials are known to be one component.