Help! Lost Product Key

[Jeff Kislter]

I recently purchased an OEM version of Windows XP
Professional SP1 in combination with a new motherboard
and processor and lost the sheet on which my product key
was printed shortly after opening the package. My
question is how can I get in touch with the appropriate
support representative at Microsoft to attempt to rectify
this situation. I spent $200 on this copy of XP and
another $1800 on hardware for the new hardware on which
to run it, so in the meantime I am left with the unsavory
options of either having an $1800 paperweight or spending
another $300 or so on a retail version of XP Pro, which
is unlikely to even be a possibility given my financial
situation of the moment. If someone could please e-mail
me information on how to get in touch with the
appropriate representative at microsoft to discuss this
situation I would be greatly appreciative.

It's funny how much damage a miniature schnauzer can do
when let loose around boxes of new computer gear.

Thank you
Jeff Kistler

 

[Jone Doe]

MS doesn't give support for OEM versions of XP, contact the vendor you
purchased it from.

 

[David Sanders]

I recently purchased an OEM version of Windows XP
Professional SP1 in combination with a new motherboard
and processor and lost the sheet on which my product key
was printed shortly after opening the package. My
question is how can I get in touch with the appropriate
support representative at Microsoft to attempt to rectify
this situation. I spent $200 on this copy of XP and
another $1800 on hardware for the new hardware on which
to run it, so in the meantime I am left with the unsavory
options of either having an $1800 paperweight or spending
another $300 or so on a retail version of XP Pro, which
is unlikely to even be a possibility given my financial
situation of the moment. If someone could please e-mail
me information on how to get in touch with the
appropriate representative at microsoft to discuss this
situation I would be greatly appreciative.

It's funny how much damage a miniature schnauzer can do
when let loose around boxes of new computer gear.

Thank you
Jeff Kistler

Try www.ebay.com

 

[Guest]

The vendor I purchased the software from told me to
contact Microsoft.
Is there something that identifies individual cd copies?
I mean, can I find a number somewhere and see if
Microsoft can reference that to the assigned CD Key?
It's extremely distressing that the number appears only
on a small bit of paper that is unattached to any booklet
or anything so that situations like this can occur.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

I recently purchased an OEM version of Windows XP
Professional SP1 in combination with a new motherboard
and processor and lost the sheet on which my product key
was printed shortly after opening the package. My
question is how can I get in touch with the appropriate
support representative at Microsoft to attempt to rectify
this situation. I spent $200 on this copy of XP and
another $1800 on hardware for the new hardware on which
to run it, so in the meantime I am left with the unsavory
options of either having an $1800 paperweight or spending
another $300 or so on a retail version of XP Pro, which
is unlikely to even be a possibility given my financial
situation of the moment. If someone could please e-mail
me information on how to get in touch with the
appropriate representative at microsoft to discuss this
situation I would be greatly appreciative.

It's funny how much damage a miniature schnauzer can do
when let loose around boxes of new computer gear.

Thank you
Jeff Kistler

If you spent $200 for an OEM copy of XP, you were definitely ripped off.
Most shops are charging less than $130 for a "FULL OEM" with Certificate of
Authenticity.

Try this link for an XP Professional "FULL OEM" for less than $110:
http://www.salesintl.com/product.asp?0=218&1=235&3=11
If you purchase this, the COA will be on a small sticker somewhere on the
plastic wrap. DON'T THROW THE PLASTIC WRAP AWAY until you have the COA
safely stored. The COA will contain your CD key, and is proof of ownership
and authenticity. The above OEM disk contains the authentic Microsoft
hologram in the face of the CD.

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I recently purchased an OEM version of Windows XP
Professional SP1 in combination with a new motherboard
and processor and lost the sheet on which my product key
was printed shortly after opening the package. My
question is how can I get in touch with the appropriate
support representative at Microsoft to attempt to rectify
this situation.

Sorry, but Microsoft won't help you at all with OEM software.
Your only recourse is wit the OEM who sold it to you. They may or
may not be willing to help, but if not, you're out of luck.

I spent $200 on this copy of XP and

$200 US? You overpaid substantially. OEM copies usually go for
considerably less than that.

 

[Hilary Karp]

If the system is running you can retrieve the Product Key using one of
the following programs:

Magical Jellybean http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Belarc Advisor http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Otherwise you have to go to the vendor who provided you with the
software. It is up to them to support you. Microsoft will not support
OEM versions.

 

[Hilary Karp]

Also, there is no connection between the CD and the Prodcut Key. The CD
has no identifying means.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I recently purchased an OEM version of Windows XP
Professional SP1 in combination with a new motherboard
and processor and lost the sheet on which my product key
was printed shortly after opening the package. My
question is how can I get in touch with the appropriate
support representative at Microsoft to attempt to rectify
this situation. I spent $200 on this copy of XP and
another $1800 on hardware for the new hardware on which
to run it,
It's funny how much damage a miniature schnauzer can do
when let loose around boxes of new computer gear.

If you have not got around to installing it then I fear that dog has
chewed up four $50 bills for you. If you have, then there are programs
that can read the key from the installed system - eg the free Everest
Home edition from
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Perhaps the dog is a *nix bigot? ;-)

If you have not got around to installing it then I fear that dog has
chewed up four $50 bills for you. If you have, then there are
programs that can read the key from the installed system - eg the
free Everest Home edition from
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1