I have a laptop a few years old with Vista but want to use 7 on it, it has slic 2.0 on it so I assume I have to install an updated bios but wondered what would happen if I got hold of a volume license disc and just edited it to be the same manufacturer would it activate or would the slic prevent it from doing so?
A BIOS update will not add a new SLIC version unless you mod and add a new SLIC 2.1 table into it... Volume License don't need of any SLIC, it's for OEM systems. You will not have any problem with the SLIC 2.0 and Windows 7 Volume activation, you simply will not be able to activate the Windows 7 as OEM without a loader that will rewrite your SLIC 2.0 in memory to the 2.1.
Yes, or use a loader- seeing as you do not have the money for your own Windows 7 key. No. Doesn't matter what manufacture the VL is for, it can be used anywhere as long as there is activations remaining. I am sure you mean that you had to update your bios with a newer version (not self modified) to install Windows 8. Cannot remember where I seen it but there was mention that someone was able to update their bios with one released by the manufacture and successfully installed/activated Windows 7 cause it had a updated SLIC. Do not quote me though.
A while back I was given a vista laptop (SLIC 2.0) cannot remember the manufacturer, I was to format and reinstall vista for a M8 I went to manufacturers web site and there was bios update for windows 7
Are we talking about volume licensing or oem licensing here? Yes, I too have updated the bios on a laptop sold shortly before Windows 7 release, and got a new version 2.1 slic with the update
Technically, OEM SLIC is not a requirement for Volume activations like KMS to work. But, legally, Volume licenses are usually Upgrades for present OEM licenses. That's why on systems without SLIC checking the license with MTK tells you to verify Product use rights.