product-key lost

[F. Robroek]

I bought a new Windows XP Professional SP 2 last week.
When I want to install it, I realized that I lost the
product key used to install it. Is there any program
where I can view my product-key???

Thanks,
FIRQIN

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

You can only find the PK if XP is installed:

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

 

[F. Robroek]

-----Original Message-----
Hi

You can only find the PK if XP is installed:

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

--

Will Denny
MVP - Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups





.

That's the problem, I don't even had the chance to
install it, and the PK was lost.

Thanks,
FIRQIN

 

[Will Denny]

That's the problem, I don't even had the chance to
install it, and the PK was lost.

Thanks,
FIRQIN

Hi

I'm afraid that if you can't find the PK for the CD that you have, you will
have to purchase another XP CD. I can't see any other way round this
problem.

 

[jimbo]

Hi

I'm afraid that if you can't find the PK for the CD that you have, you will
have to purchase another XP CD. I can't see any other way round this
problem.

You have to be shitting us! There must be a M$ phone number you can
call and get a replacement PK! If not, this Product Activation/Product
Key stuff has just about got me to the point of switching to Linux.

jimbo

 

[Will Denny]

You have to be shitting us! There must be a M$ phone number you can call
and get a replacement PK! If not, this Product Activation/Product Key
stuff has just about got me to the point of switching to Linux.

jimbo

Hi

Each XP CD has it's own PK. MS aren't going to give out PKs over the
'phone. It's different matter if the CD has been used to install and
activate/register XP.

 

[Will Denny]

That's the problem, I don't even had the chance to
install it, and the PK was lost.

Thanks,
FIRQIN

Hi

Is the XP CD a Retail version? If so and you have proof of purchase, try
the following article:

"How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I bought a new Windows XP Professional SP 2 last week.
When I want to install it, I realized that I lost the
product key used to install it. Is there any program
where I can view my product-key???

Thanks,
FIRQIN

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, and someone has removed/destroyed the
label, you should contact you 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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

You have to be shitting us!

Why? If you forgot where you parked your car, would you expect
Ford to replace it, free of charge? If you lost your wallet, would
your bank freely replace the cash that was in it? You might want to
take a look at the way real life works, someday. The OP made a
careless mistake and now must accept the consequences of of that
carelessness. (It's an apparently no-longer-fashionable concept
called personal responsibility.)

--

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

 

[Shenan Stanley]

You have to be shitting us! There must be a M$ phone number you can
call and get a replacement PK! If not, this Product Activation/Product
Key stuff has just about got me to the point of switching to Linux.

Jimbo,

Switch away.

The OP clearly stated in this thread they had purchased Windows XP recently
and before they installed it, lost the CD Key. It was never installed.
They may get lucky with a call to the shop where they bought it, but if they
lost the CD Key (isn't it stuck to the CD Case or a piece of paper or both
depending on the type of XP you purchase (OEM, Retail)?) then they may have
lost their proof of purchase as well.

This is not like losing something you can show real proof of.. Sure - they
can show their proof of purchase *if* it is retail and maybe Microsoft will
help.. But maybe not - becaus it would be too easy to go buy one copy of
Windows XP, "misplace" my CD Key, get another with the proof of purchase,
"find" my old key and BAM! I have two licenses for the price of one! Yay
Me! Why is that so - because of the way these keys really work - virtual
things only registered for short periods of time after activation. Never
installed, never registered and even if it was - no personal information is
sent with activation and very few people register with Microsoft (even if
they did, I don't think the key is transmitted) so - just where do you get
the end-all proof that this is not a scam?

In any case... for the OP:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or
Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

If it was OEM, contact those you purchased it from.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

As was pointed out in another post, there is a chance however slight.

Since the value of either is near zero if the other is lost, I
normally keep both close together so as to avoid this very situation.

It is your responsibility and not Microsoft's to come up with a plan
that insures the integrity and security of both.

 

[Charles Crume]

[snip]

It is your responsibility and not Microsoft's to come up with a plan
that insures the integrity and security of both.

I use *permanent* magic marker to write the CD-KEY right on the CD as soon
as I open the package!!!

Charles...