I lost my Windows XP product key.

[Grace]

Hello, there,
I installed Windows XP in last year and activated the key
and registered. However now my computer is infected by
virus and I can't remove it. So I think to format the
whole computer and reinstall everything. But I can't find
my product key for Windows XP. Could anyone tell me if
there is any may to find it?

Thanks

Grace

 

[peter]

www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe
peter

 

[Jim]

Go here and download the key finder program.
Good Luck
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/

 

[Tumbleweed]

Hello, there,
I installed Windows XP in last year and activated the key
and registered. However now my computer is infected by
virus and I can't remove it. So I think to format the
whole computer and reinstall everything. But I can't find
my product key for Windows XP. Could anyone tell me if
there is any may to find it?

Thanks

Grace

Ask here how to remove the virus. Its extremely unlikely that you 'need' to
'format the whole computer and reinstall everything to get rid of it'.
Also, what steps have you taken to avoid this happening again/how did you
get it in the first place. And is it even a virus?

 

[Kelly]

Hi Grace,

What is the name of the virus? What steps have you tried? There isn't ever
a reason to format for a worm, trojan, virus, etc. If you are not sure of
the exact name, run the Startup Tracker from here and post the log file here
(only startup items, not services):
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_u.htm#xp_util

In the meantime, run these:

W32.Sasser Removal Tool (Line 321) Right hand side)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Spybot
http://tinyurl.com/btf8

CWShredder (Line 313)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Hijack This
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

Free Online Virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

 

[Richard Urban]

But it's still nice if she knows her product key - you think?

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Kelly]

Well, what are you waiting for, tell her!

 

[Tumbleweed]

But it's still nice if she knows her product key - you think?

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

Not if that causes her to unnecessarily wipe her whole PC and start again,
no. And not if she doesnt fix the root cause, ie how she got a virus. And
not if it isnt even a virus or a worm (If someone thinks they need to
reformat to get rid of a virus, maybe their diagnosis might be suspect?)

 

[Richard Urban]

Peter and Jim already provided that info Kelly (-;

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Kelly]

Am assuming you are left handed?

 

[Guest]

Thank everyone for giving me suggestions.
Thank Jim that I downloaded Keyfinder and found my
production key.
Thank Tumbleweed and Kelly about the virus information.
About the virus in my computer, the thing is that I
installed AVG 6.0 in my computer. It detected the virus
and said it removed the virus. But I used Symantec
website's online Virus Detection to scan my computer. It
lists: "C:/windows/systems32/ntvdscm.dll is infected with
Keylogger.Trojan; C:/windows/systems32/ntvdscm.exe is
infected with PWSteal.Trojan; C:/Documents and
Settings/Xiaoping/.jpi_cache/jar/1.0/demo.jar-2e26db2e-
6d7d4547.zip is infected with Trojan.ByteVerify"
I don't know much about the virus. that is why I want
format the whole computer to remove it. Any further
suggestion?

Grace

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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." 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 whomever sold you the
PC; 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

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Tumbleweed]

Thank everyone for giving me suggestions.
Thank Jim that I downloaded Keyfinder and found my
production key.
Thank Tumbleweed and Kelly about the virus information.
About the virus in my computer, the thing is that I
installed AVG 6.0 in my computer. It detected the virus
and said it removed the virus. But I used Symantec
website's online Virus Detection to scan my computer. It
lists: "C:/windows/systems32/ntvdscm.dll is infected with
Keylogger.Trojan; C:/windows/systems32/ntvdscm.exe is
infected with PWSteal.Trojan; C:/Documents and
Settings/Xiaoping/.jpi_cache/jar/1.0/demo.jar-2e26db2e-
6d7d4547.zip is infected with Trojan.ByteVerify"
I don't know much about the virus. that is why I want
format the whole computer to remove it. Any further
suggestion?

Grace

Are you running a firewall? If not its a waste of time removing these
because they(or something similar) will just come back.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/keylogger.trojan.html
tells you how to remove keylogger

The fact that you have Trojan.ByteVerify means you havent been keeping up to
date with windows updates.

Is it the same for AVG, are you running the latest?

I would suggest, in the following order you;
print out removal instructions for these viruses/trojans you mention(Found
via google searches).
Download the latest version of avg.
Download the latest version of adaware and spybot.
Download but do not install zone alarm free version.

Disconnect from net (physically), empty wastebasket, temp files, IE cache.
Run adaware, spybot, avg.
Follow removal instructions to see if anything is left.

install zone alarm free version.
connect to net and see if anything suspicious asks zone alarm if it can
access the net.

run symantec online check and see what it says.

This will probably take about an hour, a lot quicker than reinstalling XP,
especially if you factor in that when you reinstall XOP you'll then have to
install *all* the windows updates all over again (assuming you did install
some) .

Now keep up to date with firewalls.

FWIW although Norton gets bad press here I have never had a virus get
through Norton AV, OTOH my daughters PC (which she hadnt been keeping up to
date with AVG I admit) did get some. If you want to get Norton, valid copies
of Norton can be had much cheaper on ebay. these are OEM versions and dont
come with a manual but its not really needed.

But these days a firewall is just as needed as a virus scanner

 

[Alex Nichol]

I installed Windows XP in last year and activated the key
and registered. However now my computer is infected by
virus and I can't remove it. So I think to format the
whole computer and reinstall everything. But I can't find
my product key for Windows XP.

get the free Everest Home edition from
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1
which is an excellent general System Info tool, and its Operating System
- Operating System page will tell you the one used

Note that if the machine came with XP installed, this will probably give
a key used in producing an original image, then cloned to all machines
they make. So it is not the one for a reinstall. But then the key will
be on a label on the case of the machine

 

[Harish.G [MSFT]]

Hi,

If you have lost your XP product Key. The best option is to call Microsoft.
Call on Microsoft Licensing Fulfillment Center. On Toll Free Number (800)
248-0655 Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Pacific time.

Hope it Helps!



Harish.G

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Jeff]

If you PC is still running you can find the product key with a program
called AIDA32, this is available on line as fully functional shareware.
After installed select operating system from the left menu the sub dir.
operating system. You will find the key listed under License Information.
You can find AIDA32 with a googol, try several locations as the AIDA site is
often down and you need to find a download location the stores it locally,
not a referral to AIDA site.