Lost 25 digit product key

[Doug]

I just bought windows XP home version and installed it.
Within a few days, I noticed that there was a bug
(msblast) on it and decided that I would just reinstall it
rather than getting rid of the bug, since we hadn't moved
any of our data yet. I reinstalled it until I got to the
screen that asked for the 25 digit product code and
realized that I must have misplaced it. I do have the
sticker on the side of my computer as it said, but don't
know what the product code is. I had not activitated it
yet. What can I do without buying another Windows?

Thanks
Doug

 

[purplehaz]

The product key is on the sticker. It says product key and then lists the 25
digit key.

 

[Guest]

The sticker I am referring to does not have a 25 digit
code on it. We have lost that one. It has a 14 digit
code on it.

 

[Jim Macklin]

Attention all users who do not know this already.

Never connect to the Internet without a firewall.

Always save the product key is several places, write it on
the sales slip, write it on the CD jewel case, write it on
the CD with a safe marker, always keep your bills and
records.



| The product key is on the sticker. It says product key and
then lists the 25
| digit key.
|
| Doug wrote:
| > I just bought windows XP home version and installed it.
| > Within a few days, I noticed that there was a bug
| > (msblast) on it and decided that I would just reinstall
it
| > rather than getting rid of the bug, since we hadn't
moved
| > any of our data yet. I reinstalled it until I got to
the
| > screen that asked for the 25 digit product code and
| > realized that I must have misplaced it. I do have the
| > sticker on the side of my computer as it said, but don't
| > know what the product code is. I had not activitated it
| > yet. What can I do without buying another Windows?
| >
| > Thanks
| > Doug
|
|

 

[Kevin]

Call Microsoft and get a replacement cd. Or do a google search for product
identification.

 

[Guest]

A product key looks like this:


HFDPT-XGRRX-T887G-QD8DT-2CJ7Y
H6F6Y-6WPPH-V487G-3M7W2-D4XJB
V68D7-2D8DD-X8B4R-37FQF-4JF8X
JYY8J-4FQKQ-B3VYD-2DW8Q-YJY6H
3QB7G-CM8J3-3G8FY-J3W73-3GBK9
H284J-HKC27-8BKK7-DCDVR-2KX7R
7CCHG-H3T4X-QTT7H-2XHXP-YT2VQ
J6X7V-CCH3G-TV86T-F8PCW-X968X
G7Y7C-74K38-7DM68-83JBH-J3DBP
BJFV6-V4KVP-68DTV-YVPH8-8B68G
8YHKK-PPYTX-HWDVJ-8BRRB-W6GC6
YVJ4H-KCM6H-C8FV4-VH8GP-K88FW
4BQKG-Y4QMG-GK48Y-KF6PB-X44MT
X4BKH-6G47F-4CBCH-FQ2KK-JHCHC
D74PK-PVXKQ-CXBWH-TKHGD-BVRH7
6D7WQ-46JJX-7BBYV-B67TJ-63KRH
7DJYK-23JVY-XW6B2-WFXKR-WCT8M
GV7HW-PWB8P-X4DBX-22W3K-QR2FH
QJT2X-P8VMG-HGFJ8-JP8VF-MM2KQ
KH8D7-WWCV4-XGH4T-PRDPC-2XDRM
JC2Q6-XVCWK-TC8KC-2FPQM-V2DDB
4WCM2-DP44P-T4GGC-KMC26-FGPJQ

 

[purplehaz]

The product key is usually on a sticker stuck to the cd case that xp came
in. If not and you have a retail version of xp, then you have a nice new
xmas decoration as the cd is useless without the product key. You pay for
the product key, not the cd. You may have just learned an expensive lesson.

 

[Ian Smythe]

I just bought windows XP home version and installed it.
Within a few days, I noticed that there was a bug
(msblast) on it and decided that I would just reinstall it
rather than getting rid of the bug, since we hadn't moved
any of our data yet. I reinstalled it until I got to the
screen that asked for the 25 digit product code and
realized that I must have misplaced it. I do have the
sticker on the side of my computer as it said, but don't
know what the product code is. I had not activitated it
yet. What can I do without buying another Windows?

Thanks
Doug

PLONK! Buy a legitimate copy! :-(

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) isn't stored on the installation CD. If it was a retail
license, it's stored somewhere on the CD packaging on a bright orange
sticker that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM
(factory installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC
manufacturer affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom
of a laptop.

To recover a lost Product Key.

If your current Win2K installation is still functioning, you may
be able to use AIDA32 Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php
to find the Product Key. (If you have a factory-installed OEM
license, and haven't since reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product
Key is that of the drive image used at the factory and not _your_
specific Product Key; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and
definitely should not be -- used for a re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact whomever sold you the
OS; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of the
Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy a
new license. Also, if you did originally register the OEM
installation with Microsoft they might be able to help, although
they're under no obligation to do so; All support is the sole
responsibility of the OEM.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH