Licence

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Pat

I Had to reformat my hard drive at the week end because of
a bad bug to discover that I have lost my Licence number
for my Window XP software...What can I do???
 
The Product Key is either on a sticker on the jewel case of a retail version
of XP, or is on a sticker on the back or bottom of your computer if your OS
is an OEM version. It might also be pasted to one of your computer
documents, such as the User's Manual.

If the Product Key cannot be found, either contact Microsoft for a retail
version, or contact the computer manufacturer if the OS is OEM.

The only other option, since you have reformatted your hard drive, is to
purchase XP.
 
How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];326246

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


|I Had to reformat my hard drive at the week end because of
| a bad bug to discover that I have lost my Licence number
| for my Window XP software...What can I do???
 
Pat said:
I Had to reformat my hard drive at the week end because of
a bad bug to discover that I have lost my Licence number
for my Window XP software...What can I do???
Click to expand...

Since you've already formatted the hard drive, if you have proof of
purchase you can call Microsoft at 800-426-9400 (USA). Otherwise, I'm
afraid you will have to buy another retail package of the operating
system.

Malke
 
Pat said:
I Had to reformat my hard drive at the week end because of
a bad bug to discover that I have lost my Licence number
for my Window XP software...What can I do???
Click to expand...

If you can't get satisfaction from MS, then do a Google search for the
"xp keygen."

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
 
the keygen is pretty much worhless these days , better off searching for a
prog called Reset 5.02

;-)
 
the keygen is pretty much worhless these days
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call it worthless, but it is time consuming. When I
experimented with it, I found it had to find at least three keys to get
one that would work, and it took nearly 15 minutes to find one key on
average with my 1.8-GHz Dell laptop. So you're looking at as much as 45
minutes CPU time to get one key. Not really worth it to duck a 5 minute
activation phone call (unless you're opposed to the principle of having to
ask permission from MS to use your paid-for software, that is..).
 
Ian said:
I wouldn't call it worthless, but it is time consuming. When I
experimented with it, I found it had to find at least three keys to
get one that would work, and it took nearly 15 minutes to find one
key on average with my 1.8-GHz Dell laptop. So you're looking at as
much as 45 minutes CPU time to get one key. Not really worth it to
duck a 5 minute activation phone call (unless you're opposed to the
principle of having to ask permission from MS to use your paid-for
software, that is..).
Click to expand...

The OP "lost" his key, and didn't figure it out until after he formatted his
hard drive. So 45 minutes or pay MS more money? I'd choose the 45 minutes.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
 
I am real surprised that Mike has not said it illegal to use that
program. Since he is not here I will. It illegal to use the patch to
activate windows.

However, even through I said that. This is not my view on
activation requirements. (I think activation is a bad idea. I am
staying away from most activation product. I have not bought nortons
virus scanner program)

Read the original poster. She said she lost the product key.
Didn’t say she couldn’t activate windows.


Brian C
 
Brian said:
I am real surprised that Mike has not said it illegal to use that
program. Since he is not here I will. It illegal to use the patch to
activate windows.

However, even through I said that. This is not my view on
activation requirements. (I think activation is a bad idea. I am
staying away from most activation product. I have not bought nortons
virus scanner program)

Read the original poster. She said she lost the product key.
Didn't say she couldn't activate windows.


Brian C
Click to expand...

Actually, it has yet to be determined if it would be illegal for some that
bought XP but lost the Product Key to use the keygen to "fairly use" the
software they legally purchased. It's the DMCA that make the circumvention
of copy-protection illegal, however the DMCA explictly says, "Nothing in
this section shall affect rights, remedies, limitations, or defenses to
copyright infringement, including fair use, under this title."

I doubt that any software copyright owner would have the balls to try to
test this particular scenario in a real court of law.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
 
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

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Help us help you:




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having both at once. -- RAH
 
Bruce said:
Greetings --
Click to expand...

Greetings --

Below is an automatic response from a MicroAutomaton.
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
Click to expand...


--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
 
The OP "lost" his key, and didn't figure it out until after he formatted his
hard drive. So 45 minutes or pay MS more money? I'd choose the 45 minutes.
Click to expand...

Yeah, me too. Having to type in a 25-character string of gibberish in
order to be able to use your software (then, with activation, having to
type in *another* string of gibberish if you can't/don't activate over the
net) is really quite absurd. Even *games* are coming with the gibberish
now. Sheesh. Linux is so much easier that way :).

Gonna combine replies here:

I am real surprised that Mike has not said it illegal to use that
program. Since he is not here I will. It illegal to use the patch to
activate windows.
Click to expand...

Bah. If you've got a legally purchased copy of the software, fair use
says you can install & use it. If that means getting around the string of
gibberish by making up one that works, too bad, Microsoft. kurt's right
to point out that DMCA might make it a little questionable, but that law's
rotgut in the first place.

Either way, "You have to buy another copy" is ludicrous advice for anyone
but the MS-sycophants. Copyright law doesn't work that way.
 
Are game coming out that require activation as well?
Click to expand...

Activation per se, no, but multiplayer games are more and more doing
online license checks before they'll let you connect to servers. Half-Life
2 is sounding particularly onerous about this.

Since I don't play much MP, it's the string of gibberish that irritates
me; two recent EA games (NHL, Tiger Woods) and two recent Microsoft games
(Rise of Nations, Freelancer) I've purchased all required me to punch in a
stupid key string before they would install. When I took my NHL2004 CD on
the road with me and went to install it on my laptop, for instance, I
didn't have the case with me, so I couldn't install it. Until I found a
keygen on the net, that is (after a rather loud cuss-out uttered against
EA).
 
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