lost my xp home cd key

[Guest]

i have recently built a computer and was about to install xp when i realized
that i dont have the cd key. i do however the other number which starts with
00043 and has 3 more succesive groups of 3 numbers. Can I get a new product
key for free or do i have to get a new license or just buy a new xp. and i f
i have to buy a new license could i get a link to the area where i do that?
ex. of # i have 00043-123-456-789

 

[Galen]

In Kevin Matreci <Kevin (e-mail address removed)> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

i have recently built a computer and was about to install xp when i
realized that i dont have the cd key. i do however the other number
which starts with 00043 and has 3 more succesive groups of 3 numbers.
Can I get a new product key for free or do i have to get a new
license or just buy a new xp. and i f i have to buy a new license
could i get a link to the area where i do that? ex. of # i have
00043-123-456-789

Here's some info you might want:

Replacing Disks/Hardware:
http://kgiii.info/windows/all/general/lost_disks-hardware.html

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/

"My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of
existence." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

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 - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| i have recently built a computer and was about to install xp when i realized
| that i dont have the cd key. i do however the other number which starts with
| 00043 and has 3 more succesive groups of 3 numbers. Can I get a new product
| key for free or do i have to get a new license or just buy a new xp. and i f
| i have to buy a new license could i get a link to the area where i do that?
| ex. of # i have 00043-123-456-789

 

[Philocophus]

I downloaded Aida 32 program - it shows product ID and product key of my operating system. It is
available from

http://www.sofotex.com/AIDA32-download_L9326.html


I wonder why this has not been mentioned?

Philocophus

***************************

 

[Bruce Chambers]

i have recently built a computer and was about to install xp when i realized
that i dont have the cd key. i do however the other number which starts with
00043 and has 3 more succesive groups of 3 numbers. Can I get a new product
key for free or do i have to get a new license or just buy a new xp. and i f
i have to buy a new license could i get a link to the area where i do that?
ex. of # i have 00043-123-456-789

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]

I downloaded Aida 32 program - it shows product ID and product key of my operating system. It is
available from

http://www.sofotex.com/AIDA32-download_L9326.html


I wonder why this has not been mentioned?

Because it's pretty useless until *after* the OS is installed, and the
OP clearly had not yet installed WinXP; he needed the Product Key to do so.


--

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]]

The OP has not yet installed Windows.
The Product Key is not on the CD.
The OP apparently lost the only record of the key.
Aida as well as other similar tools are useless in this situation.

My guess is the OP has a generic OEM.
The Product Key for OEM is nothing more than a little sticker attached to
the shrink wrap of the CD package.
These are intended for small computer businesses and hobbyists occasionally
discard them with the shrink wrap before they realize the importance.
Losing the key probably means the OP has an expensive low quality coaster.

 

[Guest]

so i should just get a new disc and key. fine i was resigned to that anyway,
thanks