Lost Product Key

G

Guest

My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they said) and
I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is they
have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Jim said:
My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they said) and
I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is they
have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.
Click to expand...


The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." It is not on the installation CD
in any way, shape, or form. 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 system still runs, you should be able to use Belarc
Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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 probably
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 the computer's
manufacturer; 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.



--

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
 
M

Malke

Jim said:
My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they
said) and I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The
problem is they have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the
Key number.
Click to expand...

If you have a Dell XP restore cd, use the Product Key that is on the
sticker on the computer. The sticker is normally on the back or side of
a desktop, on the bottom of a laptop.

Malke
 
G

Guest

That worked... I didn't even think about looking on the computer, where I did
find the Product Key. Thanks a bunch...
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Jim said:
That worked... I didn't even think about looking on the computer, where I did
find the Product Key. Thanks a bunch...
Click to expand...

You're welcome.

--

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
 
R

Rob Giordano \(Crash\)

slightly ot

a client of mine buy lease-returned equipment, refurbishes them and resells
them. They are sold as " With COA, no operating system installed" - what
does that mean exactly, does the buyer have to buy a new os?

curious and thanks!


| Hi Jim,
|
| The Product Key may be on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label
adhered
| to the side (or bottom, if computer in question is a Notebook) of the
case.
| Have a look here:
|
| "Where can I find the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or Product Key for
| my DellT computer system?"
|
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?DN=FA1029949
|
|
|
| Regards,
|
| --
| Patti MacLeod
| Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
|
| | > My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they
said)
| and
| > I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is
| they
| > have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.
|
|
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Rob said:
slightly ot

a client of mine buy lease-returned equipment, refurbishes them and resells
them. They are sold as " With COA, no operating system installed" - what
does that mean exactly, does the buyer have to buy a new os?
Click to expand...


It means your "friend" has very few business scruples. The CoA is
proof that there is a legitimate license to use the software
represented. It's not legitimate of him to sell a CoA without also
providing a means of installing the OS and a valid OEM Product Key.
He's ripping off his customers.


--

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
 
R

Rob Giordano \(Crash\)

He's not a friend, he's a client.

So the COA is meaningless since there is no CD to go with it. He's not
selling the COA just the machine that has an invalid COA so the person
buying the used machine at an incredible discount will have to buy a new
OS...small price to pay,,but good to know.

THanks for the input.



| Rob Giordano (Crash) wrote:
| > slightly ot
| >
| > a client of mine buy lease-returned equipment, refurbishes them and
resells
| > them. They are sold as " With COA, no operating system installed" - what
| > does that mean exactly, does the buyer have to buy a new os?
| >
|
|
| It means your "friend" has very few business scruples. The CoA is
| proof that there is a legitimate license to use the software
| represented. It's not legitimate of him to sell a CoA without also
| providing a means of installing the OS and a valid OEM Product Key.
| He's ripping off his customers.
|
|
| --
|
| 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
 
D

David B.

Actually, doing the install from the Dell recovery CD, you will not be asked for the product key at all during installation.
 
G

Guest

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

Thanks Bruce. :)

I had a similar problem. And Belarc Advisor got me the data I needed as
soon as I installed it.

I have 2 disks with Windows XP pro sp2 installed on them. I'm on my backup
disk now cause the main got bugged so it wouldn't boot even when I did
fixboot. So I did a system recovery because I don't know what else to do.
In that process I was asked for my product key. I tore my house apart but
still couldn't find it.

But it's the same key used for this backup installation. I'll be sure to
write it down in several places now.

Thanks for bein so resourceful and helpful bruce.. <3
 
B

Bruce Chambers

rush4hire said:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Thanks Bruce. :)

I had a similar problem. And Belarc Advisor got me the data I needed as
soon as I installed it.

I have 2 disks with Windows XP pro sp2 installed on them. I'm on my backup
disk now cause the main got bugged so it wouldn't boot even when I did
fixboot. So I did a system recovery because I don't know what else to do.
In that process I was asked for my product key. I tore my house apart but
still couldn't find it.

But it's the same key used for this backup installation. I'll be sure to
write it down in several places now.

Thanks for bein so resourceful and helpful bruce.. <3
Click to expand...

You're welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell
 

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