Lost CD Key?

[T. Waters]

So that is what is what the miniscule "e" means. I thought it was some
mysterious exponent.

 

[T. Waters]

I hope the OP can read through all this and at least try. However, having
lost his disk case in a house move, he may have lost his proof of purchase,
too.

 

[Al Smith]

Tony;

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

Because that would make too much sense.

 

[Al Smith]

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

No, no, no! We don't buy a new copy of Windows XP just because
Microsoft screwed up the install procedure and requirements,
making it so easy to lose the CD key, among other mishaps that can
prevent the legitimate use of the software. That is what the evil
lord of chaos, Bill Gates, wants us to do, so we must not give in
to his wicked plot, or all hope is lost. There are *other*
options. Buying the same software twice isn't an option, it a
capitulation.

 

[Lee Chapelle]

the evil lord of chaos, Bill Gates

pffffffffffffttttttttttttttttt!!!!!

Now you ought to pay for removing the coffee from my keyboard.

 

[Richard Urban]

Guess you also advocate leaving your keys in the ignition when you park your
vehicle in Times Square!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[T. Waters]

Please tell us the other options.

No, no, no! We don't buy a new copy of Windows XP just because
Microsoft screwed up the install procedure and requirements,
making it so easy to lose the CD key, among other mishaps that can
prevent the legitimate use of the software. That is what the evil
lord of chaos, Bill Gates, wants us to do, so we must not give in
to his wicked plot, or all hope is lost. There are *other*
options. Buying the same software twice isn't an option, it a
capitulation.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

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

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." It is not on the installation CD
in any way, shape, or form. 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 the computer's
manufacturer; 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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Because that would make too much sense.

How could that possibly make sense? The Product Key is not stored on
the installation CD in any way, shape, or form. That would be rather
like locking a door, but leaving the key in the lock: doing so renders
both the the lock and the key completely useless.


--

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

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Not really.
Do you always keep your car key in your car?
Whose fault is it when the keys are lost?

 

[T. Waters]

What if "on the CD" meant a label physically on the CD? How much extra
would that cost? As for security and piracy issues, it would not seem to
create a problem, IMO.

 

[Al Smith]

What if "on the CD" meant a label physically on the CD? How much extra

would that cost? As for security and piracy issues, it would not seem to
create a problem, IMO.

It just seems to me that there should be a way of selling XP so
that nobody can lose the CD key. So many people lose it. The
reason people lose it is because it's stuck on the back of the
computer, or on a piece of paper, instead of on the CD. What's
wrong with putting it on the CD? The person who buys XP gets both
the CD and the CD key, right? Why shouldn't that person get them
stuck together, so the key can't be lost? Why is there security in
putting it on a separate piece of paper? If somebody else can
borrow the CD, then they can borrow the key along with it, right?
Unless the original owner hasn't already lost the damn thing.

The first thing I do when I make a copy of XP is use a Sharpie to
write the key across the CD. That goes for any software program I
copy.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Nothing stops people from doing that to their CDs.
However some buy additional licenses from Microsoft.
They may have several licenses and only one CD.
Those people would then complain that Microsoft placed a key on the CD but
others also apply and are not on the CD.

In any case Microsoft has chosen to not mark the CDs.
If people want theirs marked, they can do it.
Is people do not want them marked, they can leave them the way they are.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

His post implies that he had a Retail version, where the Key is on
the jewel case of the CD. Many folks separate their disks from the
cases, and the case can go missing, which apparently happened.

Retail XP doesn't come in a jewel case, it comes in a presentation folder
with the PK sticker on the back with BIG do not lose message.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[T. Waters]

Thanks. I guess folders are even easier to lose!

In

Retail XP doesn't come in a jewel case, it comes in a presentation folder
with the PK sticker on the back with BIG do not lose message.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Thanks. I guess folders are even easier to lose!

The folder is the size of the box made of heavy shiny cardboard. Green for
Home, Blue for Pro. You have to consciously decide to lose this folder. The
Product Key is on the back on a bright orange sticker with a prominent
warning not to lose the Product Key.
If it was printed on the CD, they would lose the CD too!
LOL
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Very interesting boilerplate, but stupid.

What exactly is stupid about the reply?
It points the OP to a link that supplies information on how to get a
replacement Product Key.
Replacement of CD or Product Keys
To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the
appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web
site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

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

 

[Tony Williams]

Gosh I didn't realise that asking a question could generate so much anguish!
Tony

 

[Bob I]

Nah, it isn't you. There are just SOME folks that enjoy blowing thing
way out of proportion to the real life impact. Heck, for all I know you
may be able to claim the loss, file the insurance, an get another
computer with XP already installed.

 

[OShah]

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

Can you still access your hard drive files from a boot disk or recovery disk?
If so, then you may be in luck.



--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
oshah [shexec32]
Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Error Reporting -> Choose Programs
-> Do not report errors for these programs:

Acrobat.exe
waol.exe

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