Windows Product Key

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I've just run Winkeyfinder and Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder and they both give me the same product key but it's different from the label attached to my computer, is there any reason for this?

 

If teh pc was bought from a big name, it could be that they use a master clone drive with a volume licence on it, then just stick a product key on your case from a batch of windows they have lying round. Usinga clone saves teh manufacturers tiem when making loads of similar systems. Though i though that they should have changed the key when they ship the pc.

otherwise, someones re-installed windows and used a different key for some reason. Ever taken it in to a local pc repair guy?

 

It's a laptop that I bought from Currys about a year ago and it's never been away and I've never reinstalled the OS (because I don't have a disk).

The was a problem about 6months ago whenever I had to use the recovery partition.

 

Most laptops use a system known as System Locked Preinstallation (SLP). On such systems these days the printed key on the COA is not a valid key. This was done to stop people using copies of XP going to a local store and copying down keys from the displayed machines.

The machine *should* offer you the option of creating your own restore disks - often accessed when pressing odd keys (such as F12) at boot time. Check your docs (both paper and on the machine).

The result of the SLP system is that if you have to reinstall you don't get asked for the key or activation.

Harry.