Bought Win XP PRO and lost the key while moving. What can I do?

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How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

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Carey Frisch
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Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
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How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us
Click to expand...


Of course, this really only applies to Microsoft RETAIL software. If
your OS was provided by the OEM, you will have to go to them for
replacement, if possible. However, many OEMs do not keep records of
which OS key goes with which machine they sold (although they are
supposed to), and will be unable (or unwilling) to replace your
installation key, although a few will replace your OS for a nominal
fee for the shipping/handling/media.

By the way, if your OS was supplied by the OEM at the factory, the
sticker is supposed to be attached to your computer's case somewhere.
Try looking on your computer case for the COA with CD key.

Next time, PLEASE put your COA in a more permanent place (such as a
wall safe or safety deposit box, since it is actually worth all you
paid for it, not just the few cents for the plastic used to produce
it).

==

Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread and newsgroup.
=====================================================
 
You can easily retrieve the key by Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder,which is
a freeware utility:-
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

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

regards,

S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]




realnbgirl wrote:
Click to expand...


Of course, this is only possible under two circumstances:

1) There is still an authenticated XP installation on your HD.
2) The same CD key which was provided with your OS media was the one
used to actually install the product in the first place. When many
large system builders install XP, they do it not using the key they
give you (which Magical JellyBean Keyfinder and programs like it will
only find if that key was used to install the OS), but the key of an
image they use to make it easy to install XP on millions of machines,
in which case MJB Finder will find that key, not the one provided with
your install media.

If both of these conditions are not met, Magical JellyBean Keyfinder
will be useless to you.


==

Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread and newsgroup.
=====================================================
 
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