Lost CD Key?

[Tony Williams]

Yes I know everyone will view this with suspicion but I really have lost my
CD Key and I need to do a clean reinstall. We moved house and I think it's
probably at the bottom of a crate along with a few other things that have
gone missing. I have my original CD, it is XP Professional with SP2 but I
obviously can't install without the key. Anyone any ideas? I'm desperate
because I had a hard drive failure and need to reinstall.
Thanks
Tony

 

[DavidJ726]

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

I've either used this or something like it in the past. It's a great tool.

David...

 

[Michael T]

If you can still boot try
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm

Once you extract keyfinder.exe from the zip file, then when you launch it
the XP Product Key should be displayed.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Tony;
Is Windows XP still installed:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
Near the bottom "View Product Key XP"

The Product Key will be on a sticker affixed to the computer if Windows XP
is OEM.

Otherwise:
If Windows XP is OEM contact Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246
If Windows XP is OEM contact the seller, Microsoft may not be able to help
with OEM.

 

[T. Waters]

The key is on the label and on your hard drive, nowhere else.

 

[Tony Williams]

Thanks guys but do these find the key from the CD? As I said I have had a
disk crash so I don't have a hard drive to search the registry?
Thanks
Tony

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Tony;
The tools only locate the key on a computer.
The Product Key is not on the CD at all.

 

[XS11E]

Thanks guys but do these find the key from the CD?

The key is not on the CD (other than on the CD case).

 

[Tony Williams]

Thanks guys looks like I've got to shell out for another copy, the key isn't
on my hard drive and as I said I've lost the label in the house move. Damn!
Tony

 

[WWII]

Is your copy of Xp registered? Have you called Microsoft?

 

[Bob I]

If OEM supplied look on the case for the sticker, if retail
How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[ln];326246

 

[T. Waters]

I think registration is a marketing tool, not a warranty program.
Don't expect any sympathy from MS.

 

[Scott]

Not true..run a program called everesthome..will tell u cd key and
lots other stuff..

 

[T. Waters]

When you buy your new XP, you can buy the OEM version and save quite a bit
of money. Try newegg.com. OEM comes with a product key label you can stick
on your computer. Since "something" could happen to the label,
Go to:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Download, run the program, save the report, print out the report and store
it with your valuable documents.
Then, write the Key on the inside of your computer case with a Sharpie pen!
Basically, the money you spend is for the Key, so protect it!

 

[T. Waters]

What part of "hard drive failure" do you not comprehend?

 

[T. Waters]

Very interesting boilerplate, but stupid.

If OEM supplied look on the case for the sticker, if retail
How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[ln];326246

Yes I know everyone will view this with suspicion but I really have lost my
CD Key and I need to do a clean reinstall. We moved house and I think it's
probably at the bottom of a crate along with a few other things that have
gone missing. I have my original CD, it is XP Professional with SP2 but I
obviously can't install without the key. Anyone any ideas? I'm desperate
because I had a hard drive failure and need to reinstall.
Thanks
Tony

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Did you miss the part "...and on your hard drive"
But in the case of the OP, this tool is not an option.

 

[T. Waters]

LOL!

Tony;
Is Windows XP still installed:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
Near the bottom "View Product Key XP"

The Product Key will be on a sticker affixed to the computer if Windows XP
is OEM.

Otherwise:
If Windows XP is OEM contact Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246
If Windows XP is OEM contact the seller, Microsoft may not be able to help
with OEM.

 

[Michael T]

My apologies Tony, but Keyfinder does not (to the best of my knowledge)
display the XP Product Key. At least that is the case for my Dell computer.
Speaking of 'case', it is usually found on the computer case.

This from Ron Martell, Microsoft MVP
******************************
The product key (25 character value) is not actually stored on the computer.
Once it has been validated a product I.D. number is calculated from it and
that is stored. But that cannot be used to reinstall.

The product key comes on a sticker that is supposed to be put onto the
computer itself. Look on the sides or the back of the computer case for a
small sticker (about the size of an address label) with the 25 character
code on it.
******************************

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Can you be constructive or is "LOL!" the best you are able to contribute?
Or is your incomplete solution only limited to "The key is on the label and
on your hard drive, nowhere else."