Hardware Analysis - How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

[b]New Hampshire[/b] solves my tamper-proof label re-location problem

john albrich — 2008-01-29T12:14:05-05:00

If only Microsoft made their license labels with as much security as New Hampshire puts into their voting ballot chain of custody system, then I wouldn't have this problem.

This is just pitiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHL_YMBolRs

And, it gets even better...the New Hampshire position of Secretary of State (as of Nov2006) pays an annual salary of $90,000* for this incredibly poor level of performance, fundamental knowledge. and just plain common sense.

*

http://www.salaries.wa.gov/documents/ExecBranchandtheirSalariesbySalary.pdf
"Executive Branch and their Salaries by State---November 1, 2006
New Hampshire Secretary of State 89,128"

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

Colin Burke — 2008-01-05T03:10:07-05:00

I've been a bench tech for a while now and whenever a customer abandons all their computer's software and licenses (people really do that) I have to do this a lot. I have carefully used a putty knife while pulling on certain areas of the sticker. The sticker in engineered to rip itself apart if pulled from one direction. once you get part of the sticker up, examine it, then pull the next most secure looking part. I used to put them onto paper and keep them in a small book for future computer work and OS replacement.

Good luck!

Colin

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

Tam the Bam — 2008-01-03T20:16:15-05:00

I just left the sticker on the DVD Case and put it away somewhere safe along with
the disk.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

john albrich — 2008-01-03T19:50:28-05:00

FordGT90Concept said:

...It says right above it that you must affix the sticker to the chassis only all OEM versions of the software (the ones that are licenced to a hardware profile and not any "user")....

Well, I'm just going to call the plastic film layer a "case corrosion/scratch/scuffing protection coating". As far as applying the sticker "to the chassis" goes, that would effectively be equivalent to applying the sticker to coatings of paint or wax protection technologies instead of the bare metal. I stipulate that such a coating is an integral part of the chassis.

I can be as Bill Clinton-esque with definitions as any one.

Robert Whited said:

You can use a heat gun and heat up the inside of the old case. This will loosen the adhesive without burning the sticker. Be gentle and remove the sticker. Use packing tape to recover the sticker on the new box. I always put the "re-fixed" sticker on the inside of the case. More secure that way.

As indicated earlier, I've tried the backside heating method several times without success. The "tamper-proof" stickers

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

Robert Whited — 2008-01-03T18:57:25-05:00

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

FordGT90Concept — 2007-12-30T05:30:53-05:00

john albrich said:

I think if I were to be the one originally applying these software license stickers I'd never mount them directly on the case. I'd mount them on a durable plastic film (like 2" wide package tape) and then tape that to the case. That way, the license sticker can be moved with the software (as it generally should be) without being damaged.

It says right above it that you must affix the sticker to the chassis only all OEM versions of the software (the ones that are licenced to a hardware profile and not any "user").

As for removing the sticker, I would use a plastic blade to chip away at it until it comes off. Never attempt to peel it off because, as you already discovered, it is designed to prevent doing so.

Edit: "Goo Gone" or other anti-adhesive liquid could help but it also does weakens the integrity of the sticker. You could try dumping a lot of said liquid on there, placing packing tape over it, then peeling the tape away. Obviously, if it doesn't work on the first attempt...

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

adam — 2007-12-30T05:09:10-05:00

lol is this the old school ones or the new yellow paper ones ? Kuz I think the old school ones are a hopeless cause.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

john albrich — 2007-12-30T04:41:13-05:00

Adam Mccarnny said:

i just moved 2 of mine to a new case for the kids, I used a flat razor nife. The type you use for scraping and went very slow but no problems.

I guess I just have zero talent in this area.

So far I've never had any success using that technique with these kinds of "tamper-proof" labels. I've also tried warming the backside of the case while I try to remove the stickers...same result. I've had great success using these methods with regular adhesive labels, but not with the "self-destruct" kind of label.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

adam — 2007-12-30T04:28:52-05:00

i just moved 2 of mine to a new case for the kids, I used a flat razor nife. The type you use for scraping and went very slow but no problems.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

Sean Costello — 2007-12-30T04:04:40-05:00

or they always could just give you the sticker so you can mount it your self

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

john albrich — 2007-12-30T04:02:54-05:00

I don't care if I've got the sticker on a personal case or not...as long as I've got it in my records...but people who have to be careful about their license compliance and corporate software audits do have to deal with this stuff.

I think if I were to be the one originally applying these software license stickers I'd never mount them directly on the case. I'd mount them on a durable plastic film (like 2" wide package tape) and then tape that to the case. That way, the license sticker can be moved with the software (as it generally should be) without being damaged.

Of course, then you might have to worry about sticker thieves. I suppose the answer to that is to use a case with a viewing window and affix the sticker to the inside of the window, and of course, secure the case.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

CrAsHnBuRnXp — 2007-12-30T03:50:27-05:00

Aggressive Prefector said:

Off topic:
Wow you use a legal copy of windows why? Windows vista is the worst operation system ever made.

On Topic:
get a dremel and cut the metal and or plastic and glue it on your new case. Or pay microsoft another 300$ and get a new sticker. LOL. Fact is no one cares if your operation system is legal or not.

If your going to come on here bashing Windows Vista without any proof to your claims then dont bother posting. I wont put up with that rubbish. You are also advocating piracy so you better watch yourself. We dont put up with that here and you'll be banned on the spot. So be careful.

Vista is a great OS. The people who complain about it are usually the ones who cant run it. Software incompatibilities I can understand. However, everyday more and more software vendors support the OS.

For the record, I have been using Vista over a year with next to no issues.

On more thing. Windows ME was the worst OS ever made. I always laugh at those who compare Vista to ME as its no where in the same ball park.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

Sean Costello — 2007-12-30T03:46:02-05:00

Aggressive Prefector said:

Off topic:
Wow you use a legal copy of windows why? Windows vista is the worst operation system ever made.

No it's not.

To the orignal poster:

Just right down the Serial on a piece of paper, label it and then keep it in a good place, thats what i did.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

Meats_Of_Evil — 2007-12-30T03:33:54-05:00

you can write it in really big text and print the serial and put it in some place safe.

Re: How Can I Re-locate the "Authentic Microsoft Windows" Case Sticker?

Reason — 2007-12-30T03:30:18-05:00

What's an operation system? Is that anything like an operating system?

I had pretty good luck relocating a sticker with a razor and some care. Wasn't perfect but I did get all the important parts off in one piece.