Reformatted..lost product key..help!

[Gail]

I bought XP a couple of years ago and my computer finally
gave up the ghost. I have reformatted to C:\ in Windows 98
and need to put XP back on there. I can't seem to find the
XP key code and now I'm stuck. I hear it is embedded in
the CD but I have no idea how to get it. I have no current
Windows system installed right now so please don't ask me
to press start! I can't afford to pay microsoft $35 an
hour so that is out also. Is there anyone out there who
has an idea how I can get my key code. I registered and
activated this product when I purchased it. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Gail if you paid for a cd of xp then its on the cover of
the disc , its not embedded on the disc , there should be
a sticker on the disc case with the key codes

 

[Bob Knowlden]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246

"How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware"

I've never used the service, but it's possible that Microsoft will give you
the license code, if you registered XP with them (in addition to activating
it, which is a necessary but unrelated step). I hope that it is free, or at
least much cheaper than buying a new XP license.

The CD does not include your license code. I believe that thousands - or
millions - of copies of the XP installation CD are identical pressed CDs.

There are utilities to capture the license code from a Windows installation
(here's one: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml), but as you've
already formatted the partition, that's gone.

The XP CD is copyable, so I've burned a backup copy, and I've written the
code on it. (Further, I have followed recipes available on the Web, and
created a copy with SP1, and later SP2, "slipstreamed" onto it. That makes
repair installations go much more smoothly.)

Good luck.

Address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I bought XP a couple of years ago and my computer finally
gave up the ghost. I have reformatted to C:\ in Windows 98
and need to put XP back on there. I can't seem to find the
XP key code and now I'm stuck. I hear it is embedded in
the CD but I have no idea how to get it. I have no current
Windows system installed right now so please don't ask me
to press start! I can't afford to pay microsoft $35 an
hour so that is out also. Is there anyone out there who
has an idea how I can get my key code. I registered and
activated this product when I purchased it. Thanks.

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

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[Alex Nichol]

I bought XP a couple of years ago and my computer finally
gave up the ghost. I have reformatted to C:\ in Windows 98
and need to put XP back on there. I can't seem to find the
XP key code and now I'm stuck. I hear it is embedded in
the CD but I have no idea how to get it.

No it's not in the CD; what that has is code as part of setup that
checks to see if the key offered is valid. You can retrieve it from a
running system if there is still one around, but that will not help you
if you have formatted. Make sure you did not stick the label with it
onto the back of the machine - the label was on the folder with the CD,
marked 'Do Not Lose this number'.

If no joy, approaching Microsoft, provided you still have proof of
purchase, is the only course