Lost 25 digit product key

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doug
  • Start date Start date
D

Doug

I just bought windows XP home version and installed it.
Within a few days, I noticed that there was a bug
(msblast) on it and decided that I would just reinstall it
rather than getting rid of the bug, since we hadn't moved
any of our data yet. I reinstalled it until I got to the
screen that asked for the 25 digit product code and
realized that I must have misplaced it. I do have the
sticker on the side of my computer as it said, but don't
know what the product code is. I had not activitated it
yet. What can I do without buying another Windows?

Thanks
Doug
 
The product key is on the sticker. It says product key and then lists the 25
digit key.
 
The sticker I am referring to does not have a 25 digit
code on it. We have lost that one. It has a 14 digit
code on it.
 
Attention all users who do not know this already.

Never connect to the Internet without a firewall.

Always save the product key is several places, write it on
the sales slip, write it on the CD jewel case, write it on
the CD with a safe marker, always keep your bills and
records.



| The product key is on the sticker. It says product key and
then lists the 25
| digit key.
|
| Doug wrote:
| > I just bought windows XP home version and installed it.
| > Within a few days, I noticed that there was a bug
| > (msblast) on it and decided that I would just reinstall
it
| > rather than getting rid of the bug, since we hadn't
moved
| > any of our data yet. I reinstalled it until I got to
the
| > screen that asked for the 25 digit product code and
| > realized that I must have misplaced it. I do have the
| > sticker on the side of my computer as it said, but don't
| > know what the product code is. I had not activitated it
| > yet. What can I do without buying another Windows?
| >
| > Thanks
| > Doug
|
|
 
Call Microsoft and get a replacement cd. Or do a google search for product
identification.
 
A product key looks like this:


HFDPT-XGRRX-T887G-QD8DT-2CJ7Y
H6F6Y-6WPPH-V487G-3M7W2-D4XJB
V68D7-2D8DD-X8B4R-37FQF-4JF8X
JYY8J-4FQKQ-B3VYD-2DW8Q-YJY6H
3QB7G-CM8J3-3G8FY-J3W73-3GBK9
H284J-HKC27-8BKK7-DCDVR-2KX7R
7CCHG-H3T4X-QTT7H-2XHXP-YT2VQ
J6X7V-CCH3G-TV86T-F8PCW-X968X
G7Y7C-74K38-7DM68-83JBH-J3DBP
BJFV6-V4KVP-68DTV-YVPH8-8B68G
8YHKK-PPYTX-HWDVJ-8BRRB-W6GC6
YVJ4H-KCM6H-C8FV4-VH8GP-K88FW
4BQKG-Y4QMG-GK48Y-KF6PB-X44MT
X4BKH-6G47F-4CBCH-FQ2KK-JHCHC
D74PK-PVXKQ-CXBWH-TKHGD-BVRH7
6D7WQ-46JJX-7BBYV-B67TJ-63KRH
7DJYK-23JVY-XW6B2-WFXKR-WCT8M
GV7HW-PWB8P-X4DBX-22W3K-QR2FH
QJT2X-P8VMG-HGFJ8-JP8VF-MM2KQ
KH8D7-WWCV4-XGH4T-PRDPC-2XDRM
JC2Q6-XVCWK-TC8KC-2FPQM-V2DDB
4WCM2-DP44P-T4GGC-KMC26-FGPJQ
 
The product key is usually on a sticker stuck to the cd case that xp came
in. If not and you have a retail version of xp, then you have a nice new
xmas decoration as the cd is useless without the product key. You pay for
the product key, not the cd. You may have just learned an expensive lesson.
 
Doug said:
I just bought windows XP home version and installed it.
Within a few days, I noticed that there was a bug
(msblast) on it and decided that I would just reinstall it
rather than getting rid of the bug, since we hadn't moved
any of our data yet. I reinstalled it until I got to the
screen that asked for the 25 digit product code and
realized that I must have misplaced it. I do have the
sticker on the side of my computer as it said, but don't
know what the product code is. I had not activitated it
yet. What can I do without buying another Windows?

Thanks
Doug
Click to expand...
PLONK! Buy a legitimate copy! :-(
 
Greetings --

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) isn't stored on the installation CD. If it was a retail
license, it's stored somewhere 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 current Win2K installation is still functioning, you may
be able to use AIDA32 Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php
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 that 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
OS; 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. Also, if you did originally register the OEM
installation with Microsoft they might be able to help, although
they're under no obligation to do so; All support is the sole
responsibility of the OEM.


Bruce Chambers

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