CDkey problems who to contact (dell)

[wizardofid]

Well here is the problem.I live in a small town and here I am the "IT" guy.
Our local Municipality, Naledi yeah the one the mayor got shot does not have the proper IT infrastructure in the smaller towns so they come to me for any problems.As I have no problem with that I charge them R150.00 call out fee and almost always they managed to install illegal software with viruses galore.

So today 6 of their computers (R450 a pc re-installation virus definition updates backups ect) have been infected with win32.virto which renders windows completely useless once the windows folders has been infected.

Now all these are either dell or some or branded pre-build systems with valid license stickers ect.Windows XP as such is not picky about which XP installation disk you use.However the one dell laptop refuses to accept the input key saying it is invalid.Since none of these systems have any installation disk accompany them I am forced to use my original disks for both vista and XP.

By the looks of things the one letter or number (either a 4 or a 9) is missing from the dell license sticker for vista that I am trying to install however the top numeric key above the barcode is still readable.

How would I go about getting the cdkey as only one letter/number is missing from the second last key?

[Stuart]

In all honesty, if it is just one letter or number I'd start with A or 0 and just work my way from there till it accepts it. You'll probably stumble on it quicker than you'll get through to an MS/Dell consultant.

[hamin_aus]

Dell will give you an OEM recovery CD if you bring your side panel with the stickers in to them.
I remember I did that many years ago when I had a faulty Dell with no recovery discs - I took it to the Dell office in Westville Durban... they did charge me for the CD - but it was like 20 bucks or something.

The problem is - where is your nearest Dell office? Maybe call Dell SA and ask? The OEM CD wont need a Key and you can use it on all the Dells there. Better and I'm sure more legit than using your own XP CD...

Just in case the rats advice does not work out

[wizardofid]

Yeah I have tried that random stuff for the missing number the sticker shows "Windows vista home basic OA (EM) (MEA)" google just shows rapid share links not what I need is it possible that this key would only work with a specific setup disk...

But because I am in the middle of nowhere it would be pretty pointless to find the nearest dell as that would be miles away.....

[wizardofid]

Just tried 0, A does even accept

[hamin_aus]

But because I am in the middle of nowhere it would be pretty pointless to find the nearest dell as that would be miles away.....

You could call and ask if they will mail you the recovery CD...

You're not being very proactive by just sitting there thinking up reasons why you cant sort this out

[wizardofid]

Lol yeah but they are not willing to pay extra....So either I have to do it out of my own pocket or find work a rounds...

Yeah okay I will be proactive and install a Linux distro in the mean time

[hamin_aus]

That's the spirit

[wizardofid]

Freaking hell now they want office 2007 installed....without the activation disk or key.Busy getting open office...
Also installed a usb HDD/flash drive blocker.......

[Stuart]

Install Office 2010. Should give you some extra work in a few months' time.

[wizardofid]

Well I always get extra work have done the schools server and 25 pc's a few months back loaded anti virus update, firewalls even added 150 limited user accounts.....they never updated the anti virus and currently the server is offline and 5 pc's are working.....