Academic OS license question

[PC-MOT]

Before I shoot unnecesary emails off, I have a Toshiba with a knackered hard drive in, Im going to replace, however the COA is too faded to rea, the drive is inaccesible to get the key from.
Who do I contact for a new key?
Would it be microsoft, or toshiba?
I hate this licensing stuff, find it tooo confusing.

 

[PC Ops]

If it's an OEM machine then you'll have to get yourself a Toshiba restore disk. MS won't help you with an OEM license. Can't hurt to try though.

EDIT>: oh wait I missed the 'academic' part. If this or this is what you mean then it is Microsoft you have to contact.

 

[PC-MOT]

Im 75% sure it's the formwer you mentioned, here is a pic of the label:

 

[PC Ops]

I'd call Microsoft to start with. They must know who or where to call, if it's not them who can/will help you.

I have seen pc's with academic licensed OS' but never one with an actual COA like this. A little Googling didn't get me anywhere solid either.

 

[mikeroq]

I have to say, off topic. While it's nice microsoft has moved away from COA labels, they really needed to have made them better. Seriously they all wear off on laptops. I've seen one manufacturer put a protective covering over theirs. IMO they all should have put them in the battery compartment. That way they are less likely to get damaged. I've seen a few Dells like that.

 

[PC Ops]

Is there any way to find out where the laptop came from / was bought? I found some scattered information about some Zoostorm project for the poor. All I find is questions but no answers.

Best result I found was: "There is indeed such a COA (licence sticker) and it is not from a refubished machine but from a UK Government funded scheme aimed at families whose children get free school meals called the ‘Home Access’ scheme to help close the ‘digital and educational divide between rich and poor’ and keep parents in touch with their child's progress. Around 270,000 low income families will benefit..This licence was provided by Microsoft at a seriously reduced price and is not transferable (to new hard drive even if in same laptop) as it can not be re-activated - which I really do not think our politicians thought out that well given these laptops were in the hands of children and prone to childrens accidents ultimately forcing these low income people to have to pay for whole new operating system licence....surprised Microsoft didnt point this out...perhaps not that surprised ....anyway our new government canned this scheme almost immediately along with a lot of other initiatives designed to assist less privileged families. ....Perhaps Microsoft might at some point offer subsidized full upgrade prices to assist these families who are caught in this situation...we shall see"

Keep us informed how this works out, for future reference

Edit: this might help some too.

 

[JustInspired]

All of those I've seen with that COA do not have a key on the sticker.
These are very common here in the UK as the when the Home Access (Becta) program was in effect, the government gave away or subsidised thousands of these.
The only way I know of is to use the recovery discs that came with the machine.
For more info check out my post about it on www.hobwebs.com (just search for Becta)

 

[hmig89]

All of those I've seen with that COA do not have a key on the sticker.
These are very common here in the UK as the when the Home Access (Becta) program was in effect, the government gave away or subsidised thousands of these.
The only way I know of is to use the recovery discs that came with the machine.
For more info check out my post about it on www.hobwebs.com (just search for Becta)

That domain shows a parking page for me?

 

[AndyM]

This may sound a bit far fetched, but I've had it work for me on faded COA's before.

The old film script that says gently rub with lemon juice or water, may actually work for you. (I've done the faded ones I've had with just water).

Andy

 

[PC Ops]

I think JustInspired is right. From the bits and pieces of information I found they all mention the lack of an actual key on the COA.

Never seen one of these here in The Netherlands. So is this UK only or ...? I find it strange (to say the least) that there's no official source easily to be found on the topic

 

[johnrobert]

You would be wasting your time calling M$

Get a oem toshiba disk

 

[PC-MOT]

Where is the best place to get a Toshiba OEM win 7 disc?
Just from Toshiba itself?

*Edit, I have emailed Toshiba to see if I can get any help from them, as you said Johnrobert, MS were useless, didnt answer any questions and just pointed me to Toshiba.

 

[nlinecomputers]

If this an Academic Version of Windows then you are ONLY going to be able to get a replacement from the School or Government Agency that provided the OS and only if the end user still qualifies for it. Many Academic licenses expire when the student graduates. Sometimes they get to keep the PC and sometimes they must return it. If they keep it it often is under the terms of no support. If Windows dies on such a machine you are out of luck. The only solution at that point is purchase a new copy of Windows.

 

[JustInspired]

That domain shows a parking page for me?

Sorry... should be back up now

Exact page is http://www.hobwebs.com/windows-issues/parent-password-for-home-access-laptop/

 

[Kitten Kong]

I've had a academic coa issue in the past with an Acer machine.

Contacted acer direct, ordered recovery media (cost was £55.00), delivered within 2 days. Pretty painless, other than the cost.

I can't see toshiba being any worse.

 

[dombooth]

On these there is NO 25 character license key, absolute bugger, need the recovery disks for it.

Dom