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Author Topic: Microsoft Product Key question  (Read 1715 times)

FTA84

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Microsoft Product Key question
« on: April 09, 2009, 06:49:55 PM »
Here is the story:

A few years ago, I bought my wife and I both (two individual copies each) of Microsoft Office Enterprise Suite.  I did such because they were offered through my employer for $25/pop.

The problem is I never kept track of which one was installed on the wife's machine and which one was installed on mine.  I have recently purchased a new comptuer and now I want to install the suite on the new computer (and ditch it on the old one).  The problem is, with this Microsoft GENUINE ADVANTAGE nonsense, I don't want to accidently use the product key on her box on my new box, especially since I have two valid product codes.

Is there any way to figure out which code belongs to which box?  I tried looking in the 'About' for MS word but since it was an enterprise install, the product keys for each program are different then the product key for the suite.

Any suggestions?

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AZRedhawk44

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2009, 06:58:45 PM »
Belarc Advisor.

Free download, and it queries the computer it is run on for all license keys.

Print the document it creates and store it somewhere safe.
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Gewehr98

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2009, 08:34:40 PM »
I second Belarc Advisor.

It will also let you know which security patches are or aren't installed.
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Waitone

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2009, 10:15:27 AM »
I third Belarc Advisor.  Rates right there with sliced bread and pop tops.
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S. Williamson

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2009, 09:45:25 PM »
Doesn't send back any sensitive information to those you might not want to know, does it?  =(
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S. Williamson

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2009, 12:51:47 AM »
... does it?  =|
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"The chances of finding out what's really going on are so remote, the only thing to do is hang the sense of it and keep yourself occupied. I'd far rather be happy than right any day."
"And are you?"
"No, that's where it all falls apart I'm afraid. Pity, it sounds like quite a nice lifestyle otherwise."
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Uncle Bubba

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2009, 10:20:23 AM »
In a word, Dion, no. This is from the "more info" link on the system profile page I just generated:
 
 
Quote
About Belarc

PC Management Products

 Your Privacy
Your profile information stays on your PC, and is not sent over the Internet to any servers, including Belarc's server. For more information on your privacy and how Belarc works, please click here.

Click the "Back" button in your browser to see your PC profile.
 
 
Copyright 1997-2001, Belarc, Inc. All rights reserved.
Legal notice. U.S. Patent 5665951 and Patents pending.



 
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cslinger

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2009, 04:04:27 PM »
Third the software mentioned.

Another route is to call MicroHel....ahhh I mean Microsoft and tell them you need a key code for X software.  They will likely asked you to confirm the discs that you have by having you read back the code written in the holographic lettering around the inner circle of the disc. At this point they will give you a key to use.

Chris
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Balog

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2009, 04:07:37 PM »
I'm confused. Why couldn't one do this to get the key for say, the XP installed and sold on an eeePC? Wipe it off the netbook in favor of *nix, then put the XP on a different machine?
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AZRedhawk44

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2009, 04:09:23 PM »
Quote from: Balog on April 16, 2009, 04:07:37 PM
I'm confused. Why couldn't one do this to get the key for say, the XP installed and sold on an eeePC? Wipe it off the netbook in favor of *nix, then put the XP on a different machine?

Because you need an OEM XP CD that matches the algorithm of that CD key.

OEM keys are different than retail keys.  Not sure if it is vendor-to-vendor different or just OEM versus commercial; but they ain't the same.

Also illegal according to the EULA included in the eeePC.
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Azrael256

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Re: Microsoft Product Key question
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2009, 11:11:15 PM »
Quote
OEM keys are different than retail keys.  Not sure if it is vendor-to-vendor different or just OEM versus commercial; but they ain't the same.

It's a little bit of both.  There are actually five "versions" for different distribution channels.  Not all of them require activation, and some can be switched around.  Check here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889713/ for further reading if you're bored (it applies to 2k3 server, but you get the idea).

OEM builds are slipstreamed with vendor-specific drivers, diagnostic software, and vendor art.  Check the system properties of an OEM build (right-click "My Computer" and select Properties) and you'll find a Dell logo on Dells, HP logo on HPs and so on.  It is most definitely an EULA violation to switch around an OEM copy.
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