lost my xp home cd-key

[frustrated customer]

Alright heres the story, I bought Windows XP HOME EDITION
and with the great luck i have, I either threw away the
cd-key or it didn't come with one, i looked every where
on the crappy manual and the only thing that i threw away
was the wrapping (it wasn't on there was it?). I can't
find a phone number or anything to request a new one, if
someone could give me number i can call it would be quite
thankful. Oh and my cd is defective so i need a new cd
also.

 

[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 XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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

:

| Alright heres the story, I bought Windows XP HOME EDITION
| and with the great luck i have, I either threw away the
| cd-key or it didn't come with one, i looked every where
| on the crappy manual and the only thing that i threw away
| was the wrapping (it wasn't on there was it?). I can't
| find a phone number or anything to request a new one, if
| someone could give me number i can call it would be quite
| thankful. Oh and my cd is defective so i need a new cd
| also.

 

[Dale Richards]

Alright heres the story, I bought Windows XP HOME EDITION
and with the great luck i have, I either threw away the
cd-key or it didn't come with one, i looked every where
on the crappy manual and the only thing that i threw away
was the wrapping (it wasn't on there was it?). I can't
find a phone number or anything to request a new one, if
someone could give me number i can call it would be quite
thankful. Oh and my cd is defective so i need a new cd
also.

You need a new CD *and* a product key? That sounds a little suspicious...

If you have already installed Windows and you can start it up, you can
retrieve your product key with Belarc Advisor:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

If you've thrown out the product key before installing Windows, well that
was a little dumb.

With regard to your damaged CD, see this text from the Microsoft website:

"Obtaining a Replacement Disc

If you bought the program in the last 30 days, you may be able to return it
to the store where you bought it to obtain a replacement under the Microsoft
30-Day Money Back Guarantee. Check the packaging for information on the
30-Day Money Back Guarantee.

Alternatively, to obtain a replacement disc call the Microsoft Order Desk at
(800) 360-7561 and request a replacement for your damaged disc. If you are
outside the United States, contact the Microsoft subsidiary for your area.
To locate your subsidiary, see the Microsoft World Wide Offices Web page at:
http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/

 

[Steve]

If the CD is defective take it back to the place where
you purchased it and they should replace it...

shouldn't they?

 

[CS]

Alright heres the story, I bought Windows XP HOME EDITION
and with the great luck i have, I either threw away the
cd-key or it didn't come with one, i looked every where
on the crappy manual and the only thing that i threw away
was the wrapping (it wasn't on there was it?). I can't
find a phone number or anything to request a new one, if
someone could give me number i can call it would be quite
thankful. Oh and my cd is defective so i need a new cd
also.

If you purchased a Microsoft retail copy of XP Home, the CD Key
(called Product Key) is located on the right side of the folder on the
green side. It's an orange sticker with a little key on it and it
plainly states "product key". If you purchased a less expensive OEM
copy, the product key should have been on the CD Case inside where it
can't be seen unless the CD wrapper is removed. The product key is
never placed on the outside wrapping.

You could have unknowingly purchased an illegal copy. That's probably
why the CD doesn't work and no key. Sounds like you may have been
taken.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Alright heres the story, I bought Windows XP HOME EDITION
and with the great luck i have, I either threw away the
cd-key or it didn't come with one, i looked every where
on the crappy manual and the only thing that i threw away
was the wrapping (it wasn't on there was it?). I can't
find a phone number or anything to request a new one, if
someone could give me number i can call it would be quite
thankful. Oh and my cd is defective so i need a new cd
also.

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 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]

If the CD is defective take it back to the place where
you purchased it and they should replace it...

shouldn't they?

If it's a legitimate copy of WinXP and if it's a legitimate
business, certainly.

--

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

 

[Dale Richards]

If you purchased a less expensive OEM
copy, the product key should have been on the CD Case inside where it
can't be seen unless the CD wrapper is removed. The product key is
never placed on the outside wrapping.

Actually, I have seen an OEM copy with the CoA stuck on the plastic
wrapping, with the product key in full view to anyone who picks it up. Daft,
but true.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Alright heres the story, I bought Windows XP HOME EDITION
and with the great luck i have, I either threw away the
cd-key or it didn't come with one, i looked every where
on the crappy manual and the only thing that i threw away
was the wrapping (it wasn't on there was it?).

get the free Everest Home edition from
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1
which is an excellent general System Info tool, and its Operating System
- Operating System page will tell you the one used

Note that if the machine came with XP installed, this will probably give
a key used in producing an original image, then cloned to all machines
they make. So it is not the one for a reinstall. But then the key will
be on a label on the case of the machine

 

[Donald McDaniel]

If you purchased the "Full OEM" version, the chances are very good
that the COA (which contained the CD key) was attached to the
shrink-wrap. This has been the case with every "Full OEM" copy I have
purchased. I guess you are just S.O.L until you learn to observe the
world around you.

You should have carefully inspected the package which you received,
both front and back. Perhaps with your next purchase of a "Full OEM",
you will do that. Sometimes it costs a few bucks for us to learn a
valuable lesson.

By the way, at present, you do not own a product which conforms to the
EULA, since you have no Certificate of Authenticity.

Donald L McDaniel
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