Authentic Hologram CD, Can;'t Find CD Case - How do I get CD KEY?

[Mike Peters]

So now I found my Installation CD for Windows Office XP Which I bought long
before I got a computer that could handle XP. But I did not find the Case,
just the Disk. The disk has all the Nice Holograms and stuff that say it is
an Original authentic CD, but with out the little sticker on the Case it
will not let me instal. Is there any way to retreive the installation Key
from the CD itself???

I know that Microsoft has good reason to go to extremes to avoid piracy, but
is there any way to find my CD Key on the CD itself? I can't see the logic
in having an elaborate Hologram on my CD, if the entire security system is
built around the sticker on the Plastic CD case it came in.

 

[Rock]

So now I found my Installation CD for Windows Office XP Which I bought long
before I got a computer that could handle XP. But I did not find the Case,
just the Disk. The disk has all the Nice Holograms and stuff that say it is
an Original authentic CD, but with out the little sticker on the Case it
will not let me instal. Is there any way to retreive the installation Key
from the CD itself???

I know that Microsoft has good reason to go to extremes to avoid piracy, but
is there any way to find my CD Key on the CD itself? I can't see the logic
in having an elaborate Hologram on my CD, if the entire security system is
built around the sticker on the Plastic CD case it came in.

Unfortunately, not. The key is not on the CD. Any retail XP CD of the
same type, i.e. XP or Home, is the same. It's the COA and key that's
unique. If it were currently installed with that key there are tools to
retrieve the key from the installation but that doesn't sound like the
situation you have.

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

 

[Shenan Stanley]

So now I found my Installation CD for Windows Office XP Which I
bought long before I got a computer that could handle XP. But I did
not find the Case, just the Disk. The disk has all the Nice Holograms
and stuff that say it is an Original authentic CD, but with out the
little sticker on the Case it will not let me instal. Is there any
way to retreive the installation Key from the CD itself???

I know that Microsoft has good reason to go to extremes to avoid
piracy, but is there any way to find my CD Key on the CD itself? I
can't see the logic in having an elaborate Hologram on my CD, if the
entire security system is built around the sticker on the Plastic CD
case it came in.

You think the hologram on the CD gives you the right to use the contents of
said CD? hehe

The hologram is easy to reproduce - it's the unique CD-Key that came with
your copy of Office XP (I think that is what you are talking about here -
you said "Windows Office XP", so it is either "Windows XP" or "Office XP" -
which one makes no difference..) that makes all the difference. That long
number is what you really bought. I could copy that CD over and over - hand
it out to all my friends and unless I also give them the CD Key needed to
install it - I have not pirated a thing.

So, did you put the CD Key in a safe place with your CD? If not, you threw
away the most valuable part (the number) - as the contents of that CD do
not - in any way - contain the CD key needed to install and use it. Does it
leave you high and dry? Maybe, but...

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

Of course - that takes into consideration this was a RETAIL copy of the
software (came in a nice box, bout individually at a store, does not say OEM
anywhere on it, etc.) - and if it is not your only course of action is to
return to those you bought the copy from originally and hope they can help
AND/OR buy a new copy of said CD with the CD Key intact OR - you can turn to
piracy.

Should you be penalized for losing the CD Key? Some people may disagree,
but I think "yes". If you lose your only set of car keys, it will cost you
something to get a new set. You shouldn't - admittedly - have to buy a
whole new car.. However, if someone else found those keys and somehow
connected it to your car - they could take it easily - meaning you would be
going through some hoops to find your car and/or replace it.

*notice - the hologram is not the only thing easily reproducable about
Office/Windows XP.

 

[Lorien]

As you no doubt know by now, there's no real solution to your problem that
doesn't involve getting your hands on a valid product ID for Windows Office
XP

I know this is of little use now that you don't have the key, but in the
future WRITE the key directly on the top of the CD in indelible magic marker
as soon as you open the package. Get into the habit of doing that and it
will save you lots of grief. I store my CDs in a binder so I have to do
that since I don't keep the jewel case on which the product ID label is
attached - and because it's the only way to be sure that I don't lose it.

It would be even worse if this was the Windows XP installation disk because
of the activation process. In the meantime there's no way to get the
product ID from the CD itself - that's intentional on the part of Microsoft
to prevent piracy. You could use the ID from another CD that's already been
used (even if you just got the number over the phone from someone who has a
copy). There's nothing that ties the specific product ID to the specific
disk you're using for the installation - any valid product ID will work for
you.

 

[Guest]

If you legally own it then:

all MS office xp programs will work from the same serial numbers. You can
look around the web for serials, you can ring MS or you can ask a friend for
their serial. It is not illegal as long as you really do own a licence for
that software which it sounds like you do

I hope that helps you

Cheers

Quintin

 

[Guest]

If you have the CD, call MS @ 1-800-936-5700, press 0 for customer service.
Explain you lost the key but have the CD. If it's a retail copy you will most
likely be charged $10 for a replacement key. If it came with a computer, it's
free. But do call, hours are Monday to Friday 5am-9pm PST and Saturday &
Sunday 6am-3pm PST.

 

[Mike Peters]

Thanks al for the links and Phone #,
That will probably solve this.
But the laughable part of this is, that I have tons of serial numbers and
Pirated software.
The Serial Numbers are all easily found.
Yet I go out and BUY a GENUINE Authentic Microsoft Disk.
With all the fancy copyright crap written in Holograms all over it, yet that
silly yellow sticker is their only real
attempt at stopping a Pirate.
Well Thanks again! I guess I'll save myself some time and just go get a
serial number from My copy of Serials 2000k.
At least I have a hologram to show in court if anyone ever gets PO'd that
I'm using the same serial number as 100000 other people