Thinkpads Forum

Posted: **Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:23 pm**

I was just reading about CD Key's, as i am about to install a new hard drive in the next few days.

i read in a post on this forum that the CD key found on the bottom of the machine and your 'real' CD key are not the same.

The post I found said use 'Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder' software to determine your 'real' CD key.

This seems like a stupid question....but what is up with this? Why would they be different. If i do a clean install which key should I use?

Thanks,
Bob

Posted: **Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:27 pm**

Windows is installed from the factory with the Volume License Key. This is what Magical Jelly Bean finds. The key on the bottom of your ThinkPad is an OEM License Key. The OEM License key will only work with an OEM version of Windows and must be activated after installation. The Volume License Key will only work with the Volume License version of Windows and requires no activation. There is also the Retail License key that only works with a retail version of Windows.

See following thread for a full discussion on this issue.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=35967

Posted: **Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:41 pm**

R&R CDs are OEM CDs and so I would need to use the code stamped on the bottom of the Thinkpad.

If I had a set of corporate volume license CDs laying around I would need to use the Magical Jelly Bean key.

Did I get this correct?

Posted: **Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:24 pm**

rlchapin wrote:R&R CDs are OEM CDs and so I would need to use the code stamped on the bottom of the Thinkpad.

No, the R&R CDs for any Windows version will have a Lenovo VLK (Volume Licence Key) embedded and you do not need to enter a key during installation.

In general, the OEM key on the COA is only of use if you have an OEM install CD and you want to do a "clean" install of the basic OS.

(There are a few other key sceanorios which are applicable to quite particular situations which aren't worthwhile going into here.)

The key on the COA is unique (while the VLK isn't) so your Windows license actually attaches to the COA. However for practial distribution reasons, Microsoft allows manufactures to ship new PCs/laptops with a VLK installed as long as there is a unique COA key attached to the PC/laptop.

Cheers,

Bill B.

Posted: **Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:41 pm**

These answers also change when one gets into Vista. I believe with Vista there is not the distinctions between OEM and retail versions of keys.