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    I have read a few posts in this forum that relate directly to my problem.

    When I input the key number from the sticker on the side of the computer, I receive a message saying that the "key is invalid".

    I am doing this because I have had to change the motherboard. I realise that the OEM SLP key will not now work. On contacting the manufacturer they have said that: 1st, the key is for activating office! 2nd, I would have to buy a cd/dvd from them. 3rd, the COA key is dependant on software in the BIOS.

    Can you please confirm that the COA SLP key should be a valid product key for the OS stated on the label, and that it should work with phoning Microsoft to activate. Also, who is responsible for the license sticker being a valid key?

    Thanks in advance.
    N Chesher
    Wednesday, December 30, 2009 3:33 PM

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    Hello Nigel SEEC,

      The Licensing Terms for OEM Windows (Windows that cames pre-installed on computers or OEM System Builder versions of Windows) state that OEM Software is only licensed to run on the first computer it is installed on.  Since computers are just a collection of parts, a decision needed to be made on what part constituted a heart of a unique individual computer.  Meaning that all other partof of that computer could be changed but the computer would still be the same unique individual computer but if that Heart or 'Master Part' was changed, a New different computer would be created.  Microsoft (and the computer industry in general) decided that the Motherboard was that 'Master Part'.  For the sake of Licensing, if a moatherboard is changed out a New computer is created.  There is an exception to this rule.  If a computer that has (OEM Windows installed) has a Motherboard malfunction or defect, and is changed out under warranty service, the computer does not become a New computer as far as Licensing is concerned.

      Here is where your problem falls in.  You have a computer running OEM Software and the Motherboard malfunctioned or had a defect and needed to be replaced. If it had been done under warranty service, you could continue using the same OEM copy of Windows.  However, since it was not, the computer is no longer that same computer in the eyes of licensing and is no longer licensed to run that OEM copy of Windows.

      These OEM Licensing rules have been (more or less) the same since (I believe, Win95 or 98) They were developed with the OEM and they were (in part) a result that the OEMs wanted copies of Windows at the lowest possible price, so in exchange the OEM agreeded to take over and provide thier customers full support for the OEM software that they pre-install on thier computers and the Licensing Terms for that OEM software would only extend to the first PC the software was installed on.  This is, of course, a general (and no were near complete) description of the Licensing terms for OEM and OEM software.  The End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) will Always take precedence over anything I have written.

    Sorry I couldn't be more help,
    Darin MS
    Monday, January 4, 2010 8:59 PM

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    To help us analyze and troubleshoot a non-genuine notification issue you may be experiencing, please download and run the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostics Tool. 

    Once you run the tool, click on the Continue button, then click on the Copy button and paste the report into your post, along with your question.

    Thank you!

    Carey Frisch
    Wednesday, December 30, 2009 5:08 PM
    Moderator
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    Sorry, can't provide the report for this as the computer has been rebuilt using Wiindows 7.

    The reason I wish to continue this thread is that a lot of users appear to be having the same issue.

    The computer was bought from Acer, the COA key when used came back as invalid. I'll give the full history below:

    Just out of warrenty the motherboard dies. New board installed. System will not boot, blue screen error 0x0000007B! upon investigation I find this is due to a dvr issue where vista has 'locked' out the generic dvr's! Unable to install the new dvr's by any means available. Pointless using the recovery partition as this would use the original dvr's. computer rebuilt using OEM version of software, COA key returns message of 'this is not a vaild key'.

    Upon contacting Acer they have been no help what so ever. 1st response - key is for office! 2nd - buy a recovery disc. last response - (quote from their correspondance) "The COA label sent on the unit is valid one. Your system is out of warranty and the software media warranty on the unit is only 6 months. If the motherboard is changed on the unit, you need to purchase a retail version of the Operating system. We don't provide another COA label."

    I phoned Microsoft Activation and was passed to the installation team. A very friendly member of staff checked the key against your database and told me that the key is invalid!

    My questions are:

    1, Why should I have to buy a new OS, I am entitled to change broken hardware and use the same OS

    2, Why do Acer say it's a valid key when Microsoft say it isnt?

    3, Does anyone care that users are having this problem?

    We have bought legal software, and upon having hardware problems find that the OS we are entitled to use will not work due to a problem with the licensing, with no one taking any responsibility for this. The only way is to spend more money on a new OS. Is this a deliberate ruse to get more money out of the general public?

    I hope someone at Microsoft can look into this issue and get things changed for their customers, which are the end users, and not the computer manufacturers.

    Thanks in advance
    N Chesher

    Saturday, January 2, 2010 12:34 PM
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    Hello Nigel SEEC,

      The Licensing Terms for OEM Windows (Windows that cames pre-installed on computers or OEM System Builder versions of Windows) state that OEM Software is only licensed to run on the first computer it is installed on.  Since computers are just a collection of parts, a decision needed to be made on what part constituted a heart of a unique individual computer.  Meaning that all other partof of that computer could be changed but the computer would still be the same unique individual computer but if that Heart or 'Master Part' was changed, a New different computer would be created.  Microsoft (and the computer industry in general) decided that the Motherboard was that 'Master Part'.  For the sake of Licensing, if a moatherboard is changed out a New computer is created.  There is an exception to this rule.  If a computer that has (OEM Windows installed) has a Motherboard malfunction or defect, and is changed out under warranty service, the computer does not become a New computer as far as Licensing is concerned.

      Here is where your problem falls in.  You have a computer running OEM Software and the Motherboard malfunctioned or had a defect and needed to be replaced. If it had been done under warranty service, you could continue using the same OEM copy of Windows.  However, since it was not, the computer is no longer that same computer in the eyes of licensing and is no longer licensed to run that OEM copy of Windows.

      These OEM Licensing rules have been (more or less) the same since (I believe, Win95 or 98) They were developed with the OEM and they were (in part) a result that the OEMs wanted copies of Windows at the lowest possible price, so in exchange the OEM agreeded to take over and provide thier customers full support for the OEM software that they pre-install on thier computers and the Licensing Terms for that OEM software would only extend to the first PC the software was installed on.  This is, of course, a general (and no were near complete) description of the Licensing terms for OEM and OEM software.  The End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) will Always take precedence over anything I have written.

    Sorry I couldn't be more help,
    Darin MS
    Monday, January 4, 2010 8:59 PM