Have XP Disc - Lost the key

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BsOt

I have my original XP Home disc that came with my new pc but I lost the
package with the 25 digit key (and no it is not affixed to the pc). Is there
anyway to locate the key?

Thanks in advance
 
BsOt said:
I have my original XP Home disc that came with my new pc but I lost
the package with the 25 digit key (and no it is not affixed to the
pc). Is there anyway to locate the key?
Click to expand...


You can find the Product key with any of these:

ViewKeyXP www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe (for Retail versions only,
and for pre-SP2 versions only)

ProduKey http://nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

AIDA32 http://www.aumha.org/freeware.htm

Everest http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1

Magical Jellybean www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Belarc Advisor www.belarc.com/free_download.html
 
Will these programs decode the key from the disc, or does the program need
to be installed and running? I guess I forgot to mention that my hard drive
is toast!!

Cheers,

BArry
 
BsOt said:
Will these programs decode the key from the disc, or does the program
need to be installed and running? I guess I forgot to mention that my
hard drive is toast!!
Click to expand...

The key is not on the disk. If it were, every disk would be different and
production costs would soar.
 
BsOt said:
I have my original XP Home disc that came with my new pc but I lost the
package with the 25 digit key (and no it is not affixed to the pc). Is there
anyway to locate the key?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...



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

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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BsOt said:
Will these programs decode the key from the disc,
Click to expand...


No. The key is not on the CD.

or does the program
need to be installed and running?

Yes.


I guess I forgot to mention that my
hard drive is toast!!
Click to expand...


Yes, I guess you did.
 
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