I lost my COA

[Guest]

i wiped my computer and reinstalled XP and i dont know where my product key
is. is there anyway i can get it from microsoft or anything?

 

[peterk]

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

peterk

 

[Guest]

thanks man but it didnt work. said the key was unauthorized.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

i wiped my computer and reinstalled XP and i dont know where my product key
is. is there anyway i can get it from microsoft or anything?

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." It is not on the installation CD
in any way, shape, or form. 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.

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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[Guest]

hi guys, my problem is kinda similar to steven's. i got this xp pro cd from
my brother it came with his laptop but it was never installed on the machine
even though the COA sticker was on it. he sent the laptop with the xp cd here
in the philippines through a friend from the middle east. anyway, the cd and
manual is with me but the laptop got stolen/lost in davao city (that's
another island far from the capital of manila). anyway, we never installed
nor was the xp pre-installed on the laptop. i do have the product key cause i
wrote if before on the manual but when i tried to install it about two months
ago just to try it out the key was invalid and couldn't activate it. just a
few questions, if someone copied or saw the product key of the window xp on
the said laptop can they install and activate it with another cd from the one
is was supposed to be for? second, is the xp cd i have now useless? it said
on the manual it's "for distributiion only with a new pc", so i really don't
know if i can use it for a new pc other than the one it was sent with.
anyway, i didn't install xp on my desktop or that laptop before cause i am
kinda partial to windows 2000, but im planning to get a processor with
Hyper-Thread next month and 2000 just won't work on. maybe someone can help
me what i should, could or can do with this XP cd or should i just buy a new
one? thanks for your time.