replacement product key for XP

[JerryK]

I had to reinstall XP Pro because of hardware problems. The product key was
misplaced (no sticker on the computer case and who knows what happened to
all the "important" documentation that came with the computer). I was told
that I could get a "replacement product key" from Microsoft support. The
phone number I was given appears to be pay-per-call. How much will it cost
me to get the "replacement product key" this way? Am I better off buying
another copy of XP Pro?

Thank you.
Jerry

 

[Ghostrider]

I had to reinstall XP Pro because of hardware problems. The product key was
misplaced (no sticker on the computer case and who knows what happened to
all the "important" documentation that came with the computer). I was told
that I could get a "replacement product key" from Microsoft support. The
phone number I was given appears to be pay-per-call. How much will it cost
me to get the "replacement product key" this way? Am I better off buying
another copy of XP Pro?

Thank you.
Jerry

LOL. However, it should be possible to discern the Product Key by using
third-party applications such as Belarc Advisor (http:///www.belarc.com/)
or the Magical Jelly Bean (http://www.magicaljellybean.com).

 

[Rock]

I had to reinstall XP Pro because of hardware problems. The product key
was
misplaced (no sticker on the computer case and who knows what happened to
all the "important" documentation that came with the computer). I was
told
that I could get a "replacement product key" from Microsoft support. The
phone number I was given appears to be pay-per-call. How much will it
cost
me to get the "replacement product key" this way? Am I better off buying
another copy of XP Pro?

For a system with XP installed and bootable there are free utilities to
retrieve the product key but it doesn't sound like this will help you.

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

Whether you did a a clean install or a repair install you have to enter a
product key so what did you enter?

If it's a retail version and you have proof of purchase see this article.

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

If it's OEM XP you'll need to contact the OEM from which you got it.

Otherwise, MS does sell product keys, but he discount is small from the full
retail price; you'll save more by purchasing a copy of XP from your favorite
discount software seller.

 

[JerryK]

It is OEM (Compaq). The product key I entered was from a Belarc report.
The install said it was not a valid key. I've read that these utilities
cannot get the correct product key from many big-name brands unless you have
reinstalled XP at some point. Apparently they use some special keys to
speed up mass production.

Thanks for your help.

 

[BillW50]

[snip]

Otherwise, MS does sell product keys, but he discount is small from
the full retail price; you'll save more by purchasing a copy of XP
from your favorite discount software seller.

I buy extra copies to replace my OEM versions because they work better.
And this might be a conspiracy theory, but I believe Microsoft planned
it that way. As I believe since Microsoft can't make the pirates to
cough up the money, so they get the honest people to cough up the extra
to make up for it.

 

[Poprivet]

I had to reinstall XP Pro because of hardware problems. The product
key was misplaced (no sticker on the computer case and who knows what
happened to all the "important" documentation that came with the
computer). I was told that I could get a "replacement product key"
from Microsoft support. The phone number I was given appears to be
pay-per-call. How much will it cost me to get the "replacement
product key" this way? Am I better off buying another copy of XP Pro?

Thank you.
Jerry

There is a toll-free number; check on the site for it. I don't have it
handy.
So no, don't buy another copy until you talk to the MS guys.

Belarc Advisor is one of several programs what might pick up the key code
for you. Download & run it. It'll do a full analysis of your system and
amongst that data will be your keycode.
I understand there are -some- cases where it might not be the code you
actually need, but in my experience at least it's always been correct.
Worth a try.

HTH
Pop`

 

[Rock]

It is OEM (Compaq). The product key I entered was from a Belarc report.
The install said it was not a valid key. I've read that these utilities
cannot get the correct product key from many big-name brands unless you
have
reinstalled XP at some point. Apparently they use some special keys to
speed up mass production.

Thanks for your help.

<snip>

Jerry, if you ran Belarc on the original installation as it came from the
factory, then you are correct that key will be the one used by the factory
when mass installing the images. If the OS is BIOS locked to the
motherboard, then no key is needed during the install if you use the
factory provided installation/recovery CD and that mass key will show up
from Belarc. This key won't work with a retail or generic OEM XP CD.

The key that is on the sticker placed on the case normally works with a
generic OEM XP installation CD of that type, i.e. Home vs. Pro.

Have you contacted Compaq to see if they can provide a replacement CD?
Sometimes they will do this for a reasonable cost, less than buying a
version of XP.

 

[BillW50]

Jerry, if you ran Belarc on the original installation as it came from
the factory, then you are correct that key will be the one used by
the factory when mass installing the images. If the OS is BIOS
locked to the motherboard, then no key is needed during the install
if you use the factory provided installation/recovery CD and that
mass key will show up from Belarc. This key won't work with a retail
or generic OEM XP CD.
The key that is on the sticker placed on the case normally works with
a generic OEM XP installation CD of that type, i.e. Home vs. Pro.

Have you contacted Compaq to see if they can provide a replacement CD?
Sometimes they will do this for a reasonable cost, less than buying a
version of XP.

Yes but a real version of Windows XP is so much better than the crappy
OEM versions. Unless you get a generic OEM version. Which all of the big
players like Compaq, HP, Toshiba, Dell, etc. won't sell you.

 

[Rock]

Yes but a real version of Windows XP is so much better than the crappy OEM
versions. Unless you get a generic OEM version. Which all of the big
players like Compaq, HP, Toshiba, Dell, etc. won't sell you.

Real? Hmm, OEM versions are real. Sure, if Compaq will help it would be
their branded OEM version. The advantages would be the drivers are
included, and often times the cost is minimal. Disadvantages: preinstalled
"junk" software, limited recovery options. The limited recovery options
issue can be mitigated by using drive imaging software.

Personally I don't buy generic OEM. I prefer retail. I don't like the
limitation on transferability. With either generic OEM or retail you have
to hunt down the drivers.

 

[BillW50]

Real? Hmm, OEM versions are real. Sure, if Compaq will help it
would be their branded OEM version. The advantages would be the
drivers are included, and often times the cost is minimal.
Disadvantages: preinstalled "junk" software, limited recovery
options. The limited recovery options issue can be mitigated by
using drive imaging software.
Personally I don't buy generic OEM. I prefer retail. I don't like the
limitation on transferability. With either generic OEM or retail you
have to hunt down the drivers.

True, but there are driver utilities that will copy all of the drivers
you have installed and save them. No install required. One of them is
called Driver Guide if I remember correctly. If interested, I might know
a website that may still have it free legally if you want.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I had to reinstall XP Pro because of hardware problems. The product key was
misplaced (no sticker on the computer case and who knows what happened to
all the "important" documentation that came with the computer). I was told
that I could get a "replacement product key" from Microsoft support. The
phone number I was given appears to be pay-per-call. How much will it cost
me to get the "replacement product key" this way? Am I better off buying
another copy of XP Pro?

Thank you.
Jerry

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is not on the installation CD in any way, shape, or form.
It 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 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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[BillW50]

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is not on the installation CD in any way, shape, or
form. It 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 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.

Hahaha... I bought a refurbished Gateway MX6124 just last year. And it
had MS Works and a trial version of Office 2003. When I tried to
activate the trial version of Office 2003, it asked for the key for the
Works package. There was none. No paperwork or anything. So I called
Gateway (at my dime) and they didn't know and put me on a conference
call with Microsoft. Thus MS gave me a key that would work.

What kind of boloney is that? No key number for a Gateway laptop and
some dumb key number to made Office 2003 trial to work? And Microsoft
was okay with this? What is going on here? Let's screw the honest people
who are screwable? Yes I often purchase retail versions of Windows and
others because the OEM versions are pretty worthless if you ask me. When
will this nonsense end?

 

[Poprivet]

Hahaha... I bought a refurbished Gateway MX6124 just last year. And it
had MS Works and a trial version of Office 2003. When I tried to
activate the trial version of Office 2003, it asked for the key for
the Works package. There was none. No paperwork or anything. So I
called Gateway (at my dime) and they didn't know and put me on a
conference call with Microsoft. Thus MS gave me a key that would work.

What kind of boloney is that? No key number for a Gateway laptop and
some dumb key number to made Office 2003 trial to work? And Microsoft
was okay with this? What is going on here? Let's screw the honest
people who are screwable? Yes I often purchase retail versions of
Windows and others because the OEM versions are pretty worthless if
you ask me. When will this nonsense end?

It's definitely a caveat emptor situation. I can live with the OEM CDs when
one of them is specifically for the OS as Gateway provided me. I've done a
disk compare on it to a retail version and it passed, which I thought was
strange, but I've never tried to use it on a different machine. Dey haf der
vays, I know <g>.
What the public has to learn though is to insist on NOT to buy anything
with the recovery info on the hard drive! That's inexcusable IMO.
My last machine I bought without any software: Purchased a retail XP and
came out about even counting all the stuff I didn't buy. So, it can work.
But, to date, I've never had a machine bork to the point of unusable or
outmoded either so I've never had a reason to put an old OS on a new
machine. Might happen with XP, too; I won't be looking to Vista for at
least a year and then there are still dependencies. I'm one who doesn't
upgrade unless I see finite advantages in it. Other than my own screwups,
I've never really had any problems with this OS and I do everything from
email to video rendering.
Woof! Nothing like going off on a tangent.

Retail is the best way to go, though I don't see so much wrong with putting
the recovery software on CDs. Most PCs outlive the OS these days IME
anyway.

Pop`

 

[JerryK]

Compaq (the OEM) was not even willing to sell me a replacement CD/key. So,
I ordered a retail CD today. I should be running again in a few days.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Rock]

True, but there are driver utilities that will copy all of the drivers you
have installed and save them. No install required. One of them is called
Driver Guide if I remember correctly. If interested, I might know a
website that may still have it free legally if you want.

I wouldn't put much trust in copying installed drivers from one system to a
different installation.

 

[Rock]

Compaq (the OEM) was not even willing to sell me a replacement CD/key.
So,
I ordered a retail CD today. I should be running again in a few days.

Ahh too bad they couldn't sell you a recovery CD. Is it that the system is
sufficiently old? Anyway good luck and thanks for posting back.

 

[Dustin Cook]

Yes but a real version of Windows XP is so much better than the crappy
OEM versions. Unless you get a generic OEM version. Which all of the big
players like Compaq, HP, Toshiba, Dell, etc. won't sell you.

You can turn their oem version into a generic one by swapping out the
oembios files. It's how you can change a compaq oem to key to a dell
and vice versa, if you didn't wish to use a generic oem disc to reload...



--
Dustin Cook
Author of BugHunter - MalWare Removal Tool - v2.2c
email: (e-mail address removed)
web..: http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk
Pad..: http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk/pad.xml

 

[Dustin Cook]

I wouldn't put much trust in copying installed drivers from one system
to a different installation.

Providing you get the files and relevant registry keys, it shouldn't be a
problem.


--
Dustin Cook
Author of BugHunter - MalWare Removal Tool - v2.2c
email: (e-mail address removed)
web..: http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk
Pad..: http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk/pad.xml

 

[Dustin Cook]

It's definitely a caveat emptor situation. I can live with the OEM
CDs when one of them is specifically for the OS as Gateway provided
me. I've done a disk compare on it to a retail version and it passed,
which I thought was strange, but I've never tried to use it on a
different machine. Dey haf der vays, I know <g>.

Strange. The disc gateway gave you is a real oem one? And not some sort
of recovery cd right? Cool. I'd hang onto it then.

If it was keyed to the Gateway, some oembios files wouldnt match your
retail disc.

What the public has to learn though is to insist on NOT to buy
anything with the recovery info on the hard drive! That's
inexcusable IMO.

I agree completely.

than my own screwups, I've never really had any problems with this OS
and I do everything from email to video rendering.

Same. I even do coding projects, etc on windows XP. The OS isn't too
shabby.

Retail is the best way to go, though I don't see so much wrong with
putting the recovery software on CDs. Most PCs outlive the OS these
days IME anyway.

I disagree on retail being the best way to go. It really depends on your
needs. If your just an end user, sure, go with it. If your a system
builder and/or power user, you might want to run oem software instead.


--
Dustin Cook
Author of BugHunter - MalWare Removal Tool - v2.2c
email: (e-mail address removed)
web..: http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk
Pad..: http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk/pad.xml

 

[BillW50]

I wouldn't put much trust in copying installed drivers from one
system to a different installation.

I thought the plan of the OP was to wipe the system clean and then
reinstall on the same system. Now you need all of those drivers you just
wiped out.