Install key label on case query

[pjp]

Bought daughter new laptop over a year ago for school.

There's no problem yet but I've noticed where they placed the sticker on the
bottom of the unit is such that it's basically "rubbed off" from using it on
her lap. I can make out (and have photographed) most of the label but a
couple of the letter/numbers are "iffy" to say the least.

How does one go about retrieving this info in case of the need for a future
re-install?

When I use the various "tools" supposed to tell you what the install key
used "now" was it's clearly not the same as the label on the case so I
assume that's because it's still the "factory install".

It's running Vista and she wants to keep it that way rather than install the
free upgrade to Win7 came with it (or rather had to send away for).

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Bought daughter new laptop over a year ago for school.

There's no problem yet but I've noticed where they placed the
sticker on the bottom of the unit is such that it's basically
"rubbed off" from using it on her lap. I can make out (and have
photographed) most of the label but a couple of the letter/numbers
are "iffy" to say the least.

How does one go about retrieving this info in case of the need for a
future re-install?

You can't unless you've recorded it elsewhere or it has been used in a
previous reinstall of the OS (which in your case, it hasn't).

When I use the various "tools" supposed to tell you what the install
key used "now" was it's clearly not the same as the label on the
case so I assume that's because it's still the "factory install".

That's correct, Dell and other big OEMs use a special key that
validates against a signature in the BIOS so they don't have to use
the keys on the stickers (or force you to do so). Along the same
lines, if you use the method provided by the laptop manufacturer to
restore the unit ot its factory state, you won't need the key from the
sticker then either. The only time you will need the key from the
sticker is if you install using an actual Windows CD/DVD.

 

[Bob F]

Bought daughter new laptop over a year ago for school.

There's no problem yet but I've noticed where they placed the sticker
on the bottom of the unit is such that it's basically "rubbed off"
from using it on her lap. I can make out (and have photographed) most
of the label but a couple of the letter/numbers are "iffy" to say the
least.
How does one go about retrieving this info in case of the need for a
future re-install?

When I use the various "tools" supposed to tell you what the install
key used "now" was it's clearly not the same as the label on the case so I
assume that's because it's still the "factory install".

It's running Vista and she wants to keep it that way rather than
install the free upgrade to Win7 came with it (or rather had to send
away for).

Take off a cover on the bottom and write the code on the inside of it with a
sharpe for future reference. And/Or put a piece of clear packing tape over it to
protect it.

 

[Asger-P]

Hi pjp

Bought daughter new laptop over a year ago for school.

There's no problem yet but I've noticed where they placed the sticker on
the bottom of the unit is such that it's basically "rubbed off" from
using it on her lap.

You should tell Your daughter to be careful having the laptop
on her lap, it can seriously ruin the skin on her thighs.
There is even a new diagnose in medic called: "laptop thighs"
There have been a lot about it in Danish television lately.

Best regards
Asger-P

 

[pjp]

You can't unless you've recorded it elsewhere or it has been used in a
previous reinstall of the OS (which in your case, it hasn't).


That's correct, Dell and other big OEMs use a special key that validates
against a signature in the BIOS so they don't have to use the keys on the
stickers (or force you to do so). Along the same lines, if you use the
method provided by the laptop manufacturer to restore the unit ot its
factory state, you won't need the key from the sticker then either. The
only time you will need the key from the sticker is if you install using
an actual Windows CD/DVD.

Does that also include if I use the actual restore dvd's I created when
first got the pc?

 

[Tim Meddick]

I don't think so - I assume you mean that you used a 3rd-party app to
create a disk-image (like a snapshot) of the system-drive [c:] and can use
these dvds to restore the "image" (snapshot) right back again!

The result of that restore would be that Windows was back to the exact
state as at the time you created the dvd backup. So you wouldn't need any
key with that, as you don't need one now when you start-up Windows on your
system at the moment.

So when you say that you used "the various tools", then you must have tried
the [free] "Key Finder" utility from Magic JellyBean?

To download the MagicJellyBean Key Finder utility, goto :
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
....and press on the "Keyfinder Download" button.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Bob F]

Hi pjp



You should tell Your daughter to be careful having the laptop
on her lap, it can seriously ruin the skin on her thighs.
There is even a new diagnose in medic called: "laptop thighs"
There have been a lot about it in Danish television lately.

Since it is likely to block off the cooling fan, it may overheat the processor
also.

 

[pjp]

I don't think so - I assume you mean that you used a 3rd-party app to
create a disk-image (like a snapshot) of the system-drive [c:] and can use
these dvds to restore the "image" (snapshot) right back again!

No, I was actually referring to the "Create XP CD's" that was available from
the Start Menu when pc first bought. My understand is MS demands
manufacturers give users the ability to create these when they use the
hidden partition method for easy restore. Presumably in case hd crashes so
not at the mercy of vendor. Note - once used to create the cd's it
"disables" itself and can only be run the once.

I understand a backup image (TrueImage etc.) would be ok and I also have
that to. I already understood it would put pc back to way it was when image
taken but in this case it was months and child home at Xmas berfore that
opportunity was available.

The result of that restore would be that Windows was back to the exact
state as at the time you created the dvd backup. So you wouldn't need any
key with that, as you don't need one now when you start-up Windows on your
system at the moment.

So when you say that you used "the various tools", then you must have
tried the [free] "Key Finder" utility from Magic JellyBean?

To download the MagicJellyBean Key Finder utility, goto :
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
...and press on the "Keyfinder Download" button.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Does that also include if I use the actual restore dvd's I created when
first got the pc?

 

[Tim Meddick]

I think that it's the same thing really - whether the software included
with your PC was sanctioned by Microsoft or the PC manufacturer makes no
difference. The end goal of the "create cd" function is to create and save
complete disk "images" which can then be written back to the hd in a
"restore" operation. The end result still being restored disk data
matching exactly what it was when the "snapshot", or disk "image" , was
created.

So, to your original query - no - I really don't think that any "Product
Key" would be required as a result of such a "restoration" operation.

However, have you tried the application I mentioned earlier
(MagicJellyBean - Keyfinder Utility)?
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/downloads/keyfinder.zip

....unzip the two files to any folder.

You can then run the application from there.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

I don't think so - I assume you mean that you used a 3rd-party app to
create a disk-image (like a snapshot) of the system-drive [c:] and can
use these dvds to restore the "image" (snapshot) right back again!

No, I was actually referring to the "Create XP CD's" that was available
from the Start Menu when pc first bought. My understand is MS demands
manufacturers give users the ability to create these when they use the
hidden partition method for easy restore. Presumably in case hd crashes
so not at the mercy of vendor. Note - once used to create the cd's it
"disables" itself and can only be run the once.

I understand a backup image (TrueImage etc.) would be ok and I also have
that to. I already understood it would put pc back to way it was when
image taken but in this case it was months and child home at Xmas berfore
that opportunity was available.

The result of that restore would be that Windows was back to the exact
state as at the time you created the dvd backup. So you wouldn't need
any key with that, as you don't need one now when you start-up Windows
on your system at the moment.

So when you say that you used "the various tools", then you must have
tried the [free] "Key Finder" utility from Magic JellyBean?

To download the MagicJellyBean Key Finder utility, goto :
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
...and press on the "Keyfinder Download" button.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

message
Bought daughter new laptop over a year ago for school.

There's no problem yet but I've noticed where they placed the sticker
on the bottom of the unit is such that it's basically "rubbed off"
from using it on her lap. I can make out (and have photographed) most
of the label but a couple of the letter/numbers are "iffy" to say the
least.

How does one go about retrieving this info in case of the need for a
future re-install?

You can't unless you've recorded it elsewhere or it has been used in a
previous reinstall of the OS (which in your case, it hasn't).


When I use the various "tools" supposed to tell you what the install
key used "now" was it's clearly not the same as the label on the case
so I assume that's because it's still the "factory install".

That's correct, Dell and other big OEMs use a special key that
validates against a signature in the BIOS so they don't have to use
the keys on the stickers (or force you to do so). Along the same
lines, if you use the method provided by the laptop manufacturer to
restore the unit ot its factory state, you won't need the key from the
sticker then either. The only time you will need the key from the
sticker is if you install using an actual Windows CD/DVD.

Does that also include if I use the actual restore dvd's I created when
first got the pc?

 

[N. Miller]

I think that it's the same thing really - whether the software included
with your PC was sanctioned by Microsoft or the PC manufacturer makes no
difference. The end goal of the "create cd" function is to create and save
complete disk "images" which can then be written back to the hd in a
"restore" operation.

The restore CDs/DVDs created by the manufacturers utility are not a "disk
image". They are the same utility that is in the hidden restore partition,
and running the utility, whether from the restore partition, or the restore
CDs/DVDs, returns the computer to the original factory start state; deleting
user data in the process. Unless there is a "Repair install" option included
with the utility.

 

[Tim Meddick]

You are totally missing my point....

The only important thing is, no matter where the original disk "image" is
stored (if we are talking about a "restore partition" and a support app on
the cd-rom, or whatever), the main thing is that the "restoration process"
copies back *a* disk "image" - and is NOT an XP [re]installation, and
therefore will not require the entry of a "Product Key" for that reason
alone.

Plus, as "Zaphod" was saying, the installation is OEM and would not require
a key anyway, if [re]installed from any XP install disks provided.


==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[pjp]

You are totally missing my point....

The only important thing is, no matter where the original disk "image" is
stored (if we are talking about a "restore partition" and a support app on
the cd-rom, or whatever), the main thing is that the "restoration process"
copies back *a* disk "image" - and is NOT an XP [re]installation, and
therefore will not require the entry of a "Product Key" for that reason
alone.

Plus, as "Zaphod" was saying, the installation is OEM and would not
require a key anyway, if [re]installed from any XP install disks provided.


==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

The restore CDs/DVDs created by the manufacturers utility are not a "disk
image". They are the same utility that is in the hidden restore
partition,
and running the utility, whether from the restore partition, or the
restore
CDs/DVDs, returns the computer to the original factory start state;
deleting
user data in the process. Unless there is a "Repair install" option
included
with the utility.

K, thanks folks. Sounds like it's ok then even if hd goes bonkers.

 

[N. Miller]

You are totally missing my point....

Your "point" was clear as mud.