[quote=“braindead, post: 31747, member: 24282”]
Yes, an OEM key can only be on one computer, but this is regards to the OEM keys that are printed on the machines, or come with an OEM version of Windows.
What I’m referring to when I say ‘generic OEM key’ is a key that is only used on machines that have preinstalled licenses in the BIOS. For example, on these Lenovos I’m working on, there’s a line in the main section of the BIOS called “preinstalled OS license”. Microsoft has what keys called “Windows 7 Professional OEM:SLP” (System Locked Pre-Installation Key); i.e., the key is used in conjunction with Windows disks/ISOs that are used by OEM manufacturers that rely on the BIOS to activate the key. Volume installation images will not work this key, and neither will individual CD installs, be it OEM or retail disks.
These keys are specifically for manufactured machines.
That’s the way the crazy license world of Microsoft and these keys was explained to me. You’ll need to get that key from your vendor, then you can put that in your unattend file and as long as the machines are manufactured OEM machines with preinstalled keys, all will be well.[/quote]
Ok, well I just put the install/repair disk that came with one of the laptops in one and I deleted all the partitions and am reinstalling windows. I just hope that it will sysprep properly this time around and be ok. Did you take a look at my unattend file and does that look good to you? I used a keyfinder and was able to obtain the key that way, I Xed out where I have the product key currently in the .xml file. Tom was saying to not have a product key field at all, so which is the way to go here?