Lost my product Key

[Guest]

I want to re-install my Windows XP pro off my CD. I have a valid installation
of windows but have lost my product key. Obviously I want to recover my key
off my installation before reformatting my PC. The genuine advantage tools
detects my valid install but blanks out the first box of the key code. Is
ther some tool or registry key I could look at to get my key code?

 

[Rock]

I want to re-install my Windows XP pro off my CD. I have a valid
installation
of windows but have lost my product key. Obviously I want to recover my
key
off my installation before reformatting my PC. The genuine advantage tools
detects my valid install but blanks out the first box of the key code. Is
ther some tool or registry key I could look at to get my key code?

If the installation is bootable, any of these tools should recover the
product key.

ViewXP http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe

AIDA32 http://www.aumha.org/freeware.htm

Belarc Advisor http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Magical Jellybean http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

 

[LVTravel]

One problem with these programs is that if the OS was preinstalled by the
manufacturer (Dell, Gateway. HP, Sony, etc.) it may not be the valid key
that will be needed for a reinstall from the OEM CD. Many manufacturers use
a "blanket" key for all of their installations, licensed by Microsoft. That
same key will not work with the OEM CD they supply. The only valid key is
the one on the bottom or back of the computer. If that is lost, the OP
would need to contact the manufacturer of the computer for assistance.

 

[Rock]

One problem with these programs is that if the OS was preinstalled by the
manufacturer (Dell, Gateway. HP, Sony, etc.) it may not be the valid key
that will be needed for a reinstall from the OEM CD. Many manufacturers
use a "blanket" key for all of their installations, licensed by Microsoft.
That same key will not work with the OEM CD they supply. The only valid
key is the one on the bottom or back of the computer. If that is lost,
the OP would need to contact the manufacturer of the computer for
assistance.

Why are you posting this to me? Maybe post it to the OP? I'm aware of it.
I think the OP has a purchased version of XP.

 

[LVTravel]

The reason I posted to you is that YOU stated the information should be
recoverable by using the tools shown. Since you didn't state any
information included in my message in your post to the OP I just wanted you
(and I hope the OP) to know that the "found" key may not work and the
reason. Had you posted that the key from a prebuilt machine may not be
usable and to look in the places I specified "if this is an OEM install"
(and the OP didn't state that this was a retail or OEM version, and I have
had many machines with XP Pro OEM installed) I would not have had to post.

Since you are an MVP you need to realize two things. 1. You don't have to
respond like you did to my or any other person's post in the tone you did.
2. You should give full information and not ASSUME that the person is using
one version when the version is not specified.

While I make mistakes (as all who post here do on occasion) this was not one
of them. We are all on this NG to help others.

 

[Rock]

The reason I posted to you is that YOU stated the information should be
recoverable by using the tools shown. Since you didn't state any
information included in my message in your post to the OP I just wanted
you (and I hope the OP) to know that the "found" key may not work and the
reason. Had you posted that the key from a prebuilt machine may not be
usable and to look in the places I specified "if this is an OEM install"
(and the OP didn't state that this was a retail or OEM version, and I have
had many machines with XP Pro OEM installed) I would not have had to post.

Since you are an MVP you need to realize two things. 1. You don't have
to respond like you did to my or any other person's post in the tone you
did. 2. You should give full information and not ASSUME that the person
is using one version when the version is not specified.

While I make mistakes (as all who post here do on occasion) this was not
one of them. We are all on this NG to help others.

The OP stated they have an installation CD and lost the product key. That
strongly suggests it is was not an OEM factory installed situation.

As I said, I know what you posted, and I didn't include that in my response
to the OP because I didn't think it was relevant. If you think the info
would be useful to the OP then post it to them, there really wasn't any
point in posting it to me. Sorry you took offense at my tone, but that is
your problem, not mine. I just asked a question.