Solved Windows 8.1 OEM Product key encoded on Motherboard

[realflow100]

I just reinstalled windows 8.1 pro x64 and tried both key retrieving softwares but the RW program has no MSDM tab and it still says "OEM key not found in firmware" Please help!

 

[visruth]

@Ronster
There are two channels of OEM keys.
1. OEMM keys are issued to manufacturers (Dell, Acer etc) and flashed into the firmware at the factory.
2. OEM System Builder keys are issued via the retail channel and as such are only stored in the registry on installation - not the firmware.

I suspect you may have the latter installed.

I've an OEM laptop preinstalled with Win 8.1,
So, Which OEM key is shown while you run the ShowKey v1.3.vbs script?

 

[Superfly]

@Ronster
There are two channels of OEM keys.
1. OEMM keys are issued to manufacturers (Dell, Acer etc) and flashed into the firmware at the factory.
2. OEM System Builder keys are issued via the retail channel and as such are only stored in the registry on installation - not the firmware.

I suspect you may have the latter installed.

I've an OEM laptop preinstalled with Win 8.1,
So, Which OEM key is shown while you run the ShowKey v1.3.vbs script?

The first one...

The second is misleading as it is actually retail just with a different EULA and not OEM as such. Not sure why M$ refers to them as such.

 

[visruth]

@Superfly
For OEM laptop with no preinstalled OS - if new OEM Windows 8/8.1 is installed then the second one applies?

 

[Superfly]

@Superfly
For OEM laptop with no preinstalled OS - if new OEM Windows 8/8.1 is installed then the second one applies?

Yes, it will only show as the installed key, like any non-OEM pre-installed version.

 

[visruth]

Just curious. So, whats the use of 2nd OEM System builder key you mentioned in OEM preinstalled OS laps?

 

[Superfly]

Just curious. So, whats the use of 2nd OEM System builder key you mentioned in OEM preinstalled OS laps?

OEM System builder licences are generally cheaper as M$ do not offer support on those installatoins - you are the "OEM" and your customers will need to contact you as if you were Lenovo, Acer etc.

 

[visruth]

Okay ,
To correct my wrong assumptions, is OEM system builder keys that we get when we buy OEM Windows 8 discs?

 

[rutul]

Damn! My laptop shows BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB instead of installed key! Must be something wrong! But nevermind, Advanced Tokens Manager works for me.

Actually my Dell laptop came with OEM Windows 8 SL and I called them and asked for original Windows Installation Disk (they stopped providing any media from then after) and it worked until one day I broke my laptop and I had to get it repaired, since then it is asking for installation key even for the OEM installation disk.

 

[rowlands111]

Are you getting those placeholder characters in Superfly's (above poster) Showkey application, or Advanced Tokens Manager? If the latter, I'd highly recommend Showkey, it's excellent software!

Also perhaps when your laptop was repaired they installed a MB that didn't have key flashed to the chip, hence why you're being asked for a key each time you install the OS.

 

[Ztruker]

I believe you see the BBBBB when it's a VLK or MLK key. I've seen it a couple time but can't remember exactly why.