Help with lost registration code

[Zerex71]

Greetings,

I'm wondering if there's any way to get a (free, preferably)
replacement code for my copy of WinXP. I have the genuine disc but
because it came pre-installed on my previous machine (an Alienware
which I no longer have - got rid of it to a friend about a year ago
and the registration code is on a sticker on the inside of the access
door), it did not have the typical packaging with the registration
sticker. To make matters worse, I hunted through all of my files and
could not find - surprisingly enough for me - that I had not recorded
the installation code anywhere. Is there a way to get a valid code?
I understand that the code does not travel with the installation disc,
just that there's a validation algorithm run on a given code to see
that it is valid.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Greetings,

I'm wondering if there's any way to get a (free, preferably)
replacement code for my copy of WinXP. I have the genuine disc but
because it came pre-installed on my previous machine (an Alienware
which I no longer have - got rid of it to a friend about a year ago
and the registration code is on a sticker on the inside of the access
door), it did not have the typical packaging with the registration
sticker. To make matters worse, I hunted through all of my files and
could not find - surprisingly enough for me - that I had not recorded
the installation code anywhere. Is there a way to get a valid code?
I understand that the code does not travel with the installation disc,
just that there's a validation algorithm run on a given code to see
that it is valid.

Thanks,
Mike

Is your friend using the original keycode? If not, contact your friend and
get him/her to tell you what it is. If your friend is using the keycode, you
will have to buy a new version..

When a person pays for a Windows XP license, e.g. $150, the actual disk
supplied will only be a very small part of the payment. The keycode sticker
is the costly part because that is THE license.

So, in answer to your question:

NO.. keycodes are NOT free

 

[smlunatick]

Greetings,

I'm wondering if there's any way to get a (free, preferably)
replacement code for my copy of WinXP.  I have the genuine disc but
because it came pre-installed on my previous machine (an Alienware
which I no longer have - got rid of it to a friend about a year ago
and the registration code is on a sticker on the inside of the access
door), it did not have the typical packaging with the registration
sticker.  To make matters worse, I hunted through all of my files and
could not find - surprisingly enough for me - that I had not recorded
the installation code anywhere.  Is there a way to get a valid code?
I understand that the code does not travel with the installation disc,
just that there's a validation algorithm run on a given code to see
that it is valid.

Thanks,
Mike

Officially, you needed to also give the XP install CD. The version of
XP is OEM, which is "normally" tied forever to the PC it first got
installed onto.

Buy a new XP install CD.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Greetings,

I'm wondering if there's any way to get a (free, preferably)
replacement code for my copy of WinXP. I have the genuine disc but
because it came pre-installed on my previous machine (an Alienware
which I no longer have -

No. Moreover, even if you had the original Product Key, you could not
legitimately use it on your new computer. Your preinstalled version of
Windows was an OEM one, and the biggest disadvantage of an OEM version
is that its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold,
or given away (except with the original computer).

 

[Zerex71]

No. Moreover, even if you had the original Product Key, you could not
legitimately use it on your new computer. Your preinstalled version of
Windows was an OEM one, and the biggest disadvantage of an OEM version
is that its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold,
or given away (except with the original computer).

Well, I'm going to try anyway and see what happens (my buddy is going
to fetch the code)...I really don't feel like shelling out money for a
dead OS when I'm only going to be using it occasionally for one
particular thing. However, I have heard that they are practically
giving away copies of Win7. What I'm trying to do is run WinTBD under
VirtualBox on a Vista system. The software I want to run is a piece
of music/MIDI interface software that only worked on XP, but I heard
with the XP emulator built into Win7 that I might have a shot at
finally getting this to work. I have struggled with this off and on
for a year and a half because I'm stubborn and will not be deterred to
make this work.

Mike

 

[Jone Doe]

It's not lost, you know where it is. You "got rid of it" to a friend, and
should have given them the disc also because it goes with the pre-installed
version in the computer you got rid of. You have only one option, buy, and
install WinXP.

 

[David B.]

I have not heard of anyone "practically giving away" Windows 7, there was a
preorder special, but I believe it's expired.

--


------

No. Moreover, even if you had the original Product Key, you could not
legitimately use it on your new computer. Your preinstalled version of
Windows was an OEM one, and the biggest disadvantage of an OEM version
is that its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold,
or given away (except with the original computer).

Well, I'm going to try anyway and see what happens (my buddy is going
to fetch the code)...I really don't feel like shelling out money for a
dead OS when I'm only going to be using it occasionally for one
particular thing. However, I have heard that they are practically
giving away copies of Win7. What I'm trying to do is run WinTBD under
VirtualBox on a Vista system. The software I want to run is a piece
of music/MIDI interface software that only worked on XP, but I heard
with the XP emulator built into Win7 that I might have a shot at
finally getting this to work. I have struggled with this off and on
for a year and a half because I'm stubborn and will not be deterred to
make this work.

Mike

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings,

I'm wondering if there's any way to get a (free, preferably)
replacement code for my copy of WinXP. I have the genuine disc but
because it came pre-installed on my previous machine (an Alienware
which I no longer have - got rid of it to a friend about a year ago
and the registration code is on a sticker on the inside of the access
door), it did not have the typical packaging with the registration
sticker. To make matters worse, I hunted through all of my files and
could not find - surprisingly enough for me - that I had not recorded
the installation code anywhere.

By your own admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP from your
former machine. An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware
(normally a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC) and is
_permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's installed. An OEM
license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer
under _any_ circumstances.

When you gave/sold your friend the computer, you also gave/sold him
that OEM license. But you kept the disk? Why would you cheat a friend
like that?

Is there a way to get a valid code?

You'll need to purchase a new WinXP license for the new computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Zerex71]

    By your own admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP from your
former machine.  An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware
(normally a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC) and is
_permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's installed.  An OEM
license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer
under _any_ circumstances.

        When you gave/sold your friend the computer, you also gave/sold him
that OEM license.  But you kept the disk?  Why would you cheat a friend
like that?


     You'll need to purchase a new WinXP license for the new computer.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Gosh, you make it sound so harsh and heartless. The MB was toast
and so I was giving him the hardware. The thing was completely deep-
sixed. I kept the disc in the event I ever needed it...such as in the
current situation I find myself in. I do have another alternative
approach to my problem that might not require the XP installation at
all.

 

[Bennett Marco]

By your own admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP from your
former machine. An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware
(normally a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC) and is
_permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's installed.

That "must be sold..." might still be valid in some long-forgotten
EULA or whatever, but it's not enforced. OEM discs are for sale
everywhere one cares to look and are regularly sold alone.

 

[kenmendo]

On Jul 31, 10:13 am, "Ken Blake, MVP"

Well, I'm going to try anyway and see what happens (my buddy is going
to fetch thecode> Snip ....................

You have posted this in an MS group - they have access to your street
address and are now on the way to your house with the police!!

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

<bwaa-ha-ha-ha>

You have posted this in an MS group - they have access to your street
address and are now on the way to your house with the police!!

 

[mm]

That "must be sold..." might still be valid in some long-forgotten
EULA or whatever, but it's not enforced. OEM discs are for sale
everywhere one cares to look and are regularly sold alone.

And do they work?

 

[mm]

That "must be sold..." might still be valid in some long-forgotten
EULA or whatever, but it's not enforced. OEM discs are for sale
everywhere one cares to look and are regularly sold alone.

I was sarcastic before, but I went looking for any kind of XP, just in
case, and this was the cheapest I found:

"WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION OEM SOFTWARE- JUST BOUGHT CANT USE IT
HOPEFULL SOMEONE ELSE CAN-LATEST VERSION SERVICE PACK 3- IT IS FULL
VERSION WITH LEGAL COA NOT AN UPGRADE VERSION. (HOLOGRAM DISK).

THIS SOFTWARE IS ORIGINAL MICROSOFT OEM WINDOWS XP HOME(MICROSOFT'S
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT FOR SYSTEM BUILDERS STATES THAT OEM SOFTWARE
MUST BE DISTRIBUTED WITH EITHER A FULLY ASSEMBLED COMPUTER SYSTEM OR A
NON PERIPHERAL COMPUTER HARDWARE COMPONENT. IN ACCORDANCE WITH
MICROSOFT AND EBY POLICY FOR LISTING A OEM ITEM, YOUR PURCHASE WILL
INCLUDE AN "AS IS" APPLICABLE HARDWARE COMPONENT).

SOLD AS IS- NO RETURNS-"

Doesn't say what the component is. To give him his due, he doesn't
say he bought it to use it and now can't. He just says he (just)
bought it and can't use it Probably because he has a computer or
several already, and bought it to sell it.

 

[Bennett Marco]

I was sarcastic before, but I went looking for any kind of XP, just in
case, and this was the cheapest I found:

[snip of description missing the price]

Here's the cheapest ($90) from a legitimate dealer:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re+-+Operating+Systems-_-Microsoft-_-32116511

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

And do they work?

Yes, they work, but I almost always recommend against buying one.
Although it contains the same software, it has the following
disadvantages as compared with the retail version:

1. The most significant disadvantage: Its license ties it permanently
to the first computer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved
to another computer, sold, or given away (except with the original
computer).

2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them
with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your
OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or
you can get support elsewhere, such as in these newsgroups.


Instead I recommend that you buy a retail Upgrade, which usually costs
only slightly more than an OEM version. The reason I recommend the
Retail Upgrade is that the requirement to use an upgrade version is to
*own* a previous qualifying version's installation CD, not to have it
installed. When setup doesn't find a previous qualifying version
installed, it will prompt you to insert its CD as proof of ownership.
Just insert the previous version's CD, and follow the prompts.
Everything proceeds quite normally and quite legitimately.


Most people already own a previous qualifying version, but worst case
if you don't, you can inexpensively buy a copy of Windows 98 someplace
like eBay.