OEM Copy

[Tbyte32]

I bought a Toshiba laptop with a pre-installed OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Of course I created my back up disks but really dislike all the extra programs that they put on it. I used a program that pulls the CD-Key and was wondering if I could get another OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium disk if I could install just a fresh copy of Windows 7 without all the extra crap that comes preinstalled and then use the key that I pulled from my preinstalled version. There is absolutely no change in hardware.

 

[JDFan]

Should work -- but why not just remove the unwanted programs and then make a new set of backup\restore disks that do not have those installed. Then there is no need for another copy of the OEM installation disks.

 

[nikorr]

A clean install is a clean install.

 

[nukemaster]

I bought a Toshiba laptop with a pre-installed OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Of course I created my back up disks but really dislike all the extra programs that they put on it. I used a program that pulls the CD-Key and was wondering if I could get another OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium disk if I could install just a fresh copy of Windows 7 without all the extra crap that comes preinstalled and then use the key that I pulled from my preinstalled version. There is absolutely no change in hardware.

Why did you need to do that? I mean the CD key should be on the COA attached to the computer.

That said, i have used the OEM disc(mostly XP home, but should be the same with 7 as long as it is a match. so if it is Home Premium 64 bit. use Home Premium 64-bit) with machines from HP without any issues. I always just use the key on the computer it self and it works fine.

I still think trying to uninstall the extra stuff is a good idea(then you do not have to get drivers or anything, for me, I did the clean installs for the same reason, too much junk came with the pc).

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Computers, which are built by large manufactures that come with Windows Pre-Installed, come with two (2) Product Keys:

A) OEM SLP: This key comes pre-installed in Windows, when it comes from the Factory. This key is geared to work with the OEM Bios Flag found only on that Manufacturer's computer hardware. So when Windows was installed using the OEM SLP key (at the factory) Windows looks at the motherboard and sees the proper OEM Bios Flag (for that Manufacturer and that version of Windows) and Self-Activates. (that's why you did not need to Activate your computer after you brought it home)

B) COA SLP: This is the Product key that you see on the sticker on the side (or bottom) of your computer. It is a valid product key, but should only be used in limited situations (sush as if the OEM SLP key stops self-activating for whatever reason). The key must be activated by Phone. (Note: All manufacturers that use the OEM SLP system are required by contract to include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker, that has a COA SLP key, on the computer)

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi Tbyte32

there are a few programs specifically designed to remove all these unwanted programs installed by PC manufacturers (who are often paid to install them)

one of the best known is PC Decrapifier
make sure you get it from a reliable source

Probably a lot quicker than re installing from scratch

There are some useful programs included by Toshiba such as the Park hard disk heads if vibration detected so do not remove all extra programs
PC Decrapifier will list the programs it finds and let you choose which to remove or keep

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[bjsatola]

I bought a Toshiba laptop with a pre-installed OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Of course I created my back up disks but really dislike all the extra programs that they put on it. I used a program that pulls the CD-Key and was wondering if I could get another OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium disk if I could install just a fresh copy of Windows 7 without all the extra crap that comes preinstalled and then use the key that I pulled from my preinstalled version. There is absolutely no change in hardware.

BEWARE!!!

I actually did exactly what you described, and now I get 0xC004E003 error code when trying to validate.

Apparently (source: http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-IE/genuinewindows7/thread/3d9c5a6c-812b-4a7d-8b67-209b4d974e34)

Just a little background so you can better understand the issue at play here.

When a computer comes with Windows Pre-installed on a computer from a Large Manufacturer (Dell, HP , so on) they use a specal kind of Product Key.  The key is called a OEM SLP key. When the key was entered into Windows (at the factory) Windows see the specal key and then looks at the Bios of that computer for a OEM Bios Flag. If the proper Flag is present, Windows will Self-Activate (I.e. it activates without connecting to Microsoft's Activation servers)

Now, each OEM SLP key and OEM Bios Flag combination is Manufacturer and Windows version specific.  This means each Manufacturer has it's own sets of OEM SLP/Bios Flags and each OEM SLP/Bios Flag pair is only good for one type of Windows. 
What this means is that your Dell computer originally came with Vista, so, from the factory, it had the Dell OEM SLP/Bios Flag for Vista.

Later you installed the Dell copy of Windows 7 which contained the Dell OEM SLP key for Windows 7 Professional. However, the computer still has the OEM Bios Flag for Vista. The OEM SLP key and OEM Bios Flag do not match so Windows fails to self-activate.

 At this point, for your Windows 7 to work, one of two things needs to happen.
• You get a Bios your model of PC that includes the Dell OEM Bios Flag for Windows 7 Professional, so that Windows can match up the OEM SLP Key with the proper OEM Bios Flag that enables it to Self-Activate. The only place to obtain this Bios would be thru Dell. or
• You can change out the OEM SLP key with the Windows 7 Professional COA SLP key from the Certificate of Authenticity that came with the Windows 7 upgrade disk, from Dell. A COA SLP key is Always included with an OEM SLP key. This is a backup key just in case the OEM SLP/Bios Flag connection fails for some reason. You just us the Chage Product key function in Windows 7 to enter in the COA SLP key. The COA SLP key must be Activated manually using the Activate by Phone method. (Note: If Dell did not include a Certificate of Authenticity with the Windows 7 upgrade disk, then you do not have a Licensed copy of Windows 7 and would need to contact Dell for the Certificate of Authenticity.)