For your case it depends on which Edition you installed, if Pro use your Pro Key or Home key for Home version.
The reason it is asking for a key is because the BIOS does not have a valid SLIC inserted which is normal for a off the shelf board motherboard. That is done either by the OEM board/PC maker or via another tool that can insert it, that is outside the scope of this project.
then does computer needs online? For normal install, activate requests internet. btw, I have seen what you mentioned, MSI brand, phone#, , ,
When using a project key that is a Retail or one from a Sticker then yes online is needed. Only the BIOS SLIC + OEM-SLP + Cert is offline activated.
Activation is quite a complex subject, most is explained as best as possible in the read me and first post. Retail or from off a oem Sticker key = Online activation required. OEM SLIC in bios + brand Cert + OEM-SLP key = offline activation if all three criteria are ok. Windows 1x + MSDM = Online activation required.
Thanks, I have read every word of your posts today/tonight a dozen of times. try to understand better. motherboard bios is a key Good night,
It is a complex thing activation, believe me it is certainly not bedtime reading as you will have nightmares about it SLIC in the bios for Win Vista/7 and Servers is best along with a OEM SLP key and brand Certificate , the key is not brand specific but the certificate and SLIC is. if that criteria is all ok then it will offline activate. MSDM for w8.x->w1x is like a SLIC but it contains a key too which is locked to the board/system it is on, that requires online activation.
I try to explain in as easy to understand details but sadly i do have to use some technical stuff as there is not always an easy way to put it into words.
thought awhile, I am going to test an HP Elite computer tomorrow. To see if its motherboard bios has "something".
If it came with win7 which probably it did then MRP should theme and also activate it offline, but if it came with vista then 7 wont activate with that vista SLIC. MRP will inform in the log why. But it be a test
they all came with Win7. some already upgraded to Win10 (hence Win7 key on box NOT working any more). I will test a present Win7 computer first, post my update here. (following your thoughts, no need to test my original MSI +Intel. I can test ASUS LENOVO HP, , ,)
Then w7 should theme and activate on those units Rare activation fails when the combo of right SLIC, KEY and Cert is applied.
All right. bingo Win7 install on HP went end no windows key requested. (w/o this test, I couldn't go sleep) your MRP project is correct. this theory applied to Win7 best. Win8.1/1x requests online activation. i.e. suggests not much advantage could be taken. (but my interpretation, every time one Win7 computer in Office disposed, indeed two computer licenses gone)
Thanks for feedback Rare i install 7 these days only for testing mrp on. HP/Compaq was always a fussy brand to theme , took several attempts at revising the dmi checks to about get it right, it still could get wrong branding but only on some older pcs as they tend to have both names in the bios which can confuse the routines used. I know that feeling when you have to test something or you can't rest or sleep, many times i have lost sleep when getting something to work properly.
Here is my follow-up ASUS and Lenovo, they came with Win10 and Win8.1, respectively. hence the Win 7 MRP test all failed. I downloaded ISO of Win8.1 and Win10 from MSFT (Win7 is ready). some other tests to verify MSFT MRP. ASUS Win7 with genuine key can be installed. no problem. (came with Win10, so Win 7 MRP test failed) Win8.1 install. no go. requested windows key after boot while before install. google search suggested, bios info NOT matched. MSFT must be applying a similar MRP technology here. Win10. installed smoothly. no any problem. when completed. computer got a MSFT digital license. Lenovo it came with Win8.1 but was running Win7 Pro x64 until my last BIOS flash which ruled out Win7. hence, Win7 install. cannot be any more. Win8.1/10 install. both went smooth. no windows key requested. again, here sees MSFT MRP technology (verify bios setup). Computer Activation showed it is with a MSFT digital license.
Lenovo is one brand i know that if w10 is installed any w7 slic is invalidated or disabled. But if you load in win 7 you can sometimes detect the slic. Other oems may do same sort of tricks. Mrp is nothing special it uses a similar method to brand as a oem would. Activation uses standard methods as a oem would also. The difference is that a oem would have their own windows setup media. Mrp covers the known ones. Like a jack of all trades master of none. One reason mrp has grown in size and many parts within to attempt to cover as many brands as possible. I admit it not perfect and never will be as things change in the theme etc side as ms alter stuff in the later cu or builds.
The main reason mrp can fail to activate a win 7 install is purely because a valid slic cannot be found and used.