Windows serial product OEM number from IBM

Cakephatt · Post by **Cakephatt** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:48 pm

My parents bought a pc about 8 years ago, and It game with windows 95. I recently found that it was so full of spyware and adware, viruses and useless files that I couldn't install anything or do anything but look at the mess I made. I tried Bazooka and Bazooka like products. I tried using the aptiva back-up disk, and it went fine untill it came to a "authenticity code" screen. Now I am stuck without an activation code. It calls for an OEM code, which is the code provided, strangely, by the manufacturer of the PC, not microsoft. I looked at IBM, and just like their computers, it accomplished nothing for me. I looked at the computer and there are no codes imprinted anywhere. I threw out the package that Windows 95 came in and I don't have the disk. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My computer has been on that screen for two days now.

Elign · Post by **Elign** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:52 pm

Try this one:

12496-OEM-0007536-45084

Post by **wardrich** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:32 am

hold up, I'm not gonna delete that post above, b/c I'm not 100% sure what it is... Are you looking for a win95 COA, or what's the serial for?

-Richard-

Elign · Post by **Elign** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 11:52 am

When you install Windows 95 (any version), it asks you for a Product Key. My post above is a Product Key. I'm 99% sure that's what Cakephatt was looking for.

IBM cannot provide it, because each machine comes with its own product key.

IBM does provide FRU and S/N numbers (and maybe other numbers which are found on stickers on the machine), but that has NOTHING to do with Windows 95.

Cakephatt · Post by **Cakephatt** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 1:01 pm

Thanks Elign! I still don't understand it, because it wasn't an FRU or a normal serial number, but an OEM, which normally is supplied by the vendor. But, I will write that code down so that I can use it again later. Thanks!

Elign · Post by **Elign** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:26 pm

No problem.

Yeah, Microsoft maintained two streams of Windows, the "OEM" version and the "Retail" version. Both are pretty much identical in functionality, the difference being the marketing system.

The OEM version was sold to computer companies like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Gateway, IBM, etc. This was pretty much bulk cheapness (kinda like Costco/Price Club). All of them received the same version, so a Dell Windows 95 was no different than an IBM Windows 95. Since they sold thousands of computers, Microsoft then sold thousands of licenses to them for a low price per license. In turn, the companies could sell computers with Windows pre-installed.

The Retail version was sold in a box on a store shelf for individual people. It cost more, but it offered a manual and stuff.

To keep things neat, the OEMs and the Retail customers were given two different groups of Product Keys. What would work for the OEM version would NOT work for the Retail version and vice-versa.

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer, pretty much anyone who makes and sells computers.

Cakephatt · Post by **Cakephatt** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:23 pm

YOU ARE THE MOST AWESOMEST PERSON I KNOW! I THINK I WILL GIVE MY FIRST BORN CHILD TO YOU! AUGHHH Cheezits and Rice YOU ARE THE BEST! YOU MADE ME SO HAPPY, I ALMOST $H!T MY PANTS WHEN I SAW THE REPLY! AUGHHHH!!! :

Elign · Post by **Elign** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:50 pm

Ay-yeah...

Wow, you're quite enthusiastic. Glad I could help.