Setanta wrote on Mar 26^th, 2015 at 7:23am:


Wrong. Read my above posts. You've come in late. I have the 25 digit Key - but it's the key to the OEM version and not the full retail version.

What Does Windows 7 OEM Mean?
by Nick Davis, Demand Media
Windows 7 Original Equipment Manufacturer is a version of the Windows operating system available to computer manufacturers and companies that build computer systems. A company can purchase Windows 7 OEM versions for any computer systems it builds and plans to sell to others. OEM versions are intended for computers that are already built, are being built for use within a company or for any computers already containing another version of Windows.

Intentions
Windows 7 OEM versions are intended for server and PC manufacturers including HP, Dell, Toshiba and others. These versions are also intended for PC assemblers including commercial and individuals who are building computers from parts, for resale through a company. Companies cannot buy Windows 7 OEM from an area office supply, computer or electronics outlet, though. The package is available directly from Microsoft and third-party resellers including online resellers.

Limitations
Windows 7 OEM versions are not scaled-down or missing any components. The versions work exactly like end-user versions and include the same pre-installed applications including Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Windows Explorer and other applications. Windows 7 OEM versions do not contain free phone or technical support, however, because the computer manufacturer is supposed to provide support.

Related Reading: What Does PayPal Preferred Mean?

Licensing
Each Windows 7 OEM version contains one license, an end user license agreement (EULA), and is intended for one computer. The license includes a product key that you must enter when installing the operating system on the recently built computer. The operating system installation process works the same as with other Windows versions -- a wizard guides you through the installation process.

Windows Activation
Like other Windows versions, buyer must activate the operating system within 30 days. Activation is done via the Internet or by calling Microsoft’s registration service. Activation is free and the OEM software can be reinstalled activated on the same computer as many times as necessary. The buyer cannot move the Windows 7 OEM version to another new computer or deactivate the version and move it to another new computer.

Selling
When selling a computer containing Windows 7 OEM, you need to attach or include the Windows Certificate of Authenticity with the computer. The certificate is included in the Windows 7 OEM packaging and lets the computer buyer know that the version of Windows on the computer is not a pirated or bootlegged copy. The Windows Certificate of Authenticity contains the Windows product key and information about the Windows EULA.
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/windows-7-oem-mean-72080.html

Thanks Kat - but I tried that source ages ago and got knocked back because the product key I gave them was only for an OEM version (Pre-installed version) - and only contains 20 digits instead of the required 25.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2015 at 9:54pm:


What happens if you press ctrl-alt-del? Do you get the task manager choice thingo?

edit: Do you know what version if IE is on it? If it's doing updates is it still at 8?
edit2: If you go through with the reinstall, don't allow IE to update until everything else has been done.

I remember having issues with svchost.exe many years ago.  Checked online and this might help.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/what-is-svchostexe-and-why-is-it-ru...

There have been a few times when I felt like throwing the bloody computer out the window ... they can be extremely frustrating.

I started teaching myself DOS back in around 1983 ... stuffed the computer up many times but I always kept a book and wrote down what I had done/fiddled with.  I had a male friend who I could call on if I really screwed up and usually, after I had worked on the computer most of the night and still had a problem, I would call him over and usually he said "you did a bloody good job of getting it back to normal".   It is one way to learn.

These days I don't tinker very much but IF I have a glitch I do usually find a way to get things back to normal without too much hassle, it is fairly logical in most cases ....

I honestly think some "automatic" Windows/IE downloads in the last month or so were corrupt

as I spent most of a day back in early March getting my Desktop back to normal ... in the end I found a way to use a Restore point (before the new Windows update). It was so screwed up that I couldn't even open the bloody Control Panel!

PS.  Do NOT give up. It is only a computer, don't let it beat you.

Kat wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2015 at 5:12pm:


I have since turned "automatic updates" off on my Desktop running Win 8.1.  Normally I wouldn't let Windows anywhere near my computer .... but I did and that is what happened. Never again.

I had no problems with my Laptop that runs Win 7 ....

I gather that the Windows "boffins" are still trying to sort out problems with Win 8.1 and they have the cheek to start talking about introducing Windows 10 or whatever it is.  Windows XP was good and stable. Why do they have to bring out a new OS every other year and have problems until they get it right, then bring out ANOTHER new OS. Don't bother answering that ... it is the Dollar, naturally. 

Hi Kat - it has all the latest drivers.

Another internet connection didn't help.

23 hours is enough to devote to this fault.
I will give the laptop back to my friend without it being able to do any more updates.

Basically - I give up.