lost product key

[Maurice fox]

Is there any way I can find out waht my product key is for
windows XP. I lost the harddrive and need to install XP
but I can not locate the Product Key. I installed this on
a machine I built and did not put the coa on the machine
like I should have. Now I am paying for it. Any help
would be nice. Thank

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Unless you can somehow access the broken hard drive - I can't see that you can retrieve the PK. If you can, somehow, use that hard drive - try here:

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

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User


| Is there any way I can find out waht my product key is for
| windows XP. I lost the harddrive and need to install XP
| but I can not locate the Product Key. I installed this on
| a machine I built and did not put the coa on the machine
| like I should have. Now I am paying for it. Any help
| would be nice. Thank

 

[Harish.G [MSFT]]

Hi,

The preferred method to get your CD Key back is to call Microsoft. If you
are from USA or Canada you may call Microsoft toll free # 1800-765-9400 and
Customer representatives will be able to help you. If you are from any
other country reply back I will try to get you the required Phone Number to
call.

Hope it Helps!

Harish.G

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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." 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 whomever sold you the
PC; 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

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