BIG Uh Oh

[RollTide]

Ok I installed Windows on my brand new imac and had no problems at all until I got to the Authentication part. Windows was setting up and I had to enter the 25 digit COA. This was fine, except that my windows packaging said that the COA was removed by the pc manufacturer. (?) I found the the barcode on the outside that said COA then a bunch of numbers, problem is that it is only 14 numbers not 25. Now I cannot get the cd out of my mac, and whenever I turn it on it goes into windows setup again.

I don't evencare if windows is on there any more, I just want to get back to OSX and delete the partition. Any Help guys?

Also I got the windows from newegg, its an oem version which I was assured would work, please help.

 

[SilentPanda]

Restart your Mac and hold the mouse button down. That should eject the CD. If you restart and hold down the option key that should allow you to select between Windows and OS X.

Once you get into OS X, run the Bootcamp setup assistant or whatever it's called and restore the partition to one partition.

 

[RollTide]

Thanks Silent Panda. I will try the mouse button trick, but since the chime never goes off I cannot do the option button, so once I turn the computer on and I see a gray screen, I should push down the mouse button?

 

[gloss]

Just hold down option, boot into OSX, and eject the disc from there.

 

[plinden]

Just skip windows authentication (you can use it for 30 days before having to authenticate) and continue with the install.

 

[RollTide]

The only options that I have is back and continue, so skipping the authentication is not an option. I have tried to push the option key when the machine is booting up, but as soon as I turn the thing on it starts to read the cd, then the screen turns black and it says push enter to boot from cd, if I do nothing it goes to setup screen. So I'm thinking that the only way around this is to eject the cd during the gray screen. SilentPanda Said hold down mouse button, hopefuly this will work. Any other suggestion?

P.S. Should I call newegg and ask why no COA, or try and send it back?

 

[7on]

hold down the option key and then hit the powerbutton. Do not release the Option key until you see the Apple logo.

 

[TEG]

Just skip windows authentication (you can use it for 30 days before having to authenticate) and continue with the install.

We are talking Authentication, not Activation. Authentication requries a CD-Key in order to finalize or start the installation, depending on the version of Windows. Activation is 'optional', Authentication is manditory.

BTW, if you don't have the numbers, then you are using an OEM disc, the numbers are affixed to the side of the case by most computer maunfacturers. OEM discs are only licensed for the computers they were shipped with. Any other use is a violation of EULA. Purchase a legit copy of Windows and try again.

TEG

 

[plinden]

The only options that I have is back and continue, so skipping the authentication is not an option.

What screen is that on? You always have the option of skipping authentication when installing windows, at the screen just before where you are supposed to enter the code. Here's a screen shot:

 

[TEG]

What screen is that on? You always have the option of skipping authentication when installing windows, at the screen just before where you are supposed to enter the code. Here's a screen shot:

Apples and Oranges. The Code he is talking about is required to get the disc going. It has nothing to do with talking to M$.

TEG

 

[michaeldmartin]

That's to sign up for an email list; not for activation OR authentication.

 

[RollTide]

Thanks for the replies guys. This wouldn't be so bad, but it just freaks me out since I can't even boot into OSX, If I could then I could fix it easily. I hope the power button and option thing work, that sounds good Can't wait to try it.

 

[Mac Rules]

Any joy?

Cheers

 

[yankeefan24]

Push the power button and instantly push the option key. I had a problem with my Windows install disk, and that's how I got into Mac OS X and eject and the CD. As for authentication, I don't have any ideas there.

 

[RollTide]

Any joy?

Cheers

I am still at work (Darn votin polls) So I won't be able to try it for a couple more hours. But I did call apple and the tech said that as soon as I push the power button to hold down the mouse button and it should eject any cd that's in there. So will it then go to OSX or will it freak out? This is nerve racking

P.S. Newegg said no refund, just exchange( anybody need windows oem?)
This is the one I needed I guess http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194

Now I find it, this sucks!

 

[balamw]

I am still at work (Darn votin polls) So I won't be able to try it for a couple more hours. But I did call apple and the tech said that as soon as I push the power button to hold down the mouse button and it should eject any cd that's in there. So will it then go to OSX or will it freak out? This is nerve racking

P.S. Newegg said no refund, just exchange( anybody need windows oem?)
This is the one I needed I guess http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194

Now I find it, this sucks!

That's not the right license for a new install. That's an upgrade for a pre-exisiting Windows license, and not all Windows licenses are upgradable!

If you bought a new OEM license from NewEgg, for your iMac, it should work and doesn't violate anyone's EULA. The OEM COA sticker should have been included in the sealed package from NewEgg, and is supposed to be (ultimately) affixed to your iMac by you (YOU are the PC manufacturer since you're putting OEM windows on this box).

What sticker are you looking at that has 14 digits? Where is it?

B

 

[RollTide]

That's not the right license for a new install. That's an upgrade for a pre-exisiting Windows license, and not all Windows licenses are upgradable!

If you bought a new OEM license from NewEgg, for your iMac, it should work and doesn't violate anyone's EULA. The OEM COA sticker should have been included in the sealed package from NewEgg, and is supposed to be (ultimately) affixed to your iMac by you (YOU are the PC manufacturer since you're putting OEM windows on this box).

What sticker are you looking at that has 14 digits? Where is it?

B

It's on the outside of the envelope that newegg put windows in(cd, instruction guide about it) and there is no sticker, on the back of the windows instructions it says that the coa has been removed by the pc manufacturer. I need the 25 digit, no such thing in the packaging and newegg will replace not refund, should I even consider it or call them back and complain?

The oem was new.

 

[balamw]

It's on the outside of the envelope that newegg put windows in(cd, instruction guide about it) and there is no sticker, on the back of the windows instructions it says that the coa has been removed by the pc manufacturer. I need the 25 digit, no such thing in the packaging and newegg will replace not refund, should I even consider it or call them back and complain?

The oem was new.

I see the packaging they have images of on the Web. That's definitely not your COA on the outside of the padded envelope. It has to be the kind of sticker with a small hologram on it.

Call back and ask them specifically where the COA sticker is supposed to be in the package..

EDIT: Perhaps another source of confusion is that the 25 "digit" code is usually called the "Product Key" and isn't made up of numbers, but 5 groups of 5 letters like XXXX-YYYYY-ZZZZZ-AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC. The same sticker has a 14 digit code that is called the COA and sometimes has the form 12345-123-123-123.

According to USENET:

One it about 1cm (1/2inch) x 4.5cm (2inch). It says on it "You are required to affix this Certificate of Authenticity label to the exterior of the PC" and it has a 14 digit number in the format of xxxxx-xxx-xxx-xxx, that number is a serial number for the sticker. This is NOT the sticker you are looking for. The ACTUAL sticker with the key on it is about 1" x 2.5" and it has the 25 digit number on it (it has that same 14 serial number on it as well).. It's also the one that should have been stuck to the computer that was sold with the OEM copy. If you bought it and that part of the sticker isn't on it then you got ripped off.

B

 

[RollTide]

I see the packaging they have images of on the Web. That's definitely not your COA on the outside of the padded envelope. It has to be the kind of sticker with a small hologram on it.

Call back and ask them specifically where the COA sticker is supposed to be in the package..

B

I'm on the phone with em right now, and she said look on the outside of the package, and I said nope, wrong it's only 14 digits. She said "oh let me see what I can do."

Now I'm wanting to cuss someone out.

 

[balamw]

I'm on the phone with em right now, and she said look on the outside of the package, and I said nope, wrong it's only 14 digits. She said "oh let me see what I can do."

Now I'm wanting to cuss someone out.

See the edit to my last post.

B

 

[RollTide]

Ok, the chick gave me a 1800 number to call to get my 25 digit #. So when I call the number will I need my serial # and parts # to get it? It would be nice if I didn't have to take out the cd and reinstall everything again, but just pick up where I left off(That is if I can get the cd out in the first place).

Thanks again guys I really appreciate it.

Serial # and parts # are on packages, so I doubt I would need cd right?

 

[Blackheart]

That's not the right license for a new install. That's an upgrade for a pre-exisiting Windows license, and not all Windows licenses are upgradable!

That's incorrect.

The Mac OS is currently a qualifying OS for purchasing the Windows Upgrade License

See:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/eti/2006/05/001411.php
http://stream.minot.k12.nd.us/blog/craig/?p=39

If it helps to lend more to the legitimacy, I originally heard about this from my Microsoft licensing representative at the university campus where I work and did a quick google search to arrive at these links.

 

[balamw]

That's incorrect.

Fascinating! I enjoy being incorrect every once in a while.

Still doesn't get around the install CD's need to see a Windows 98/ME/2000 installation or install disk as proof that you meet the upgrade requirements...

It's also made more difficult by the current Macs' inability to eject the disc for upgrade verification...

B

 

[RollTide]

Fascinating! I enjoy being incorrect every once in a while.

Still doesn't get around the installer's need to see a Windows 98/ME/2000 installation or install disk as proof that you meet the requirements...

B

So even if the number that I call gives me a 25 digit number, it might not work (I'm sorry its been a long day I may be totally wrong about what you're saying)

 

[Mac Rules]

The joy of Windows!
Just one more reason to switch to Mac! lol

Cheers