LOST PRODUCT KEY CODE

  • Thread starter Thread starter BKMS1
  • Start date Start date
-----Original Message-----
I LOST MYPRODUCT KEY CODE WHAT DO I DO?
.
backtrack your steps,when did you lose it? when was the
Click to expand...
last time you saw it?

what were you doing when you lost it.
 
Greetings --

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 AIDA32
Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php or ViewKeyXP from
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm 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 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.


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
 
If you have already installed XP, go to the system
information screen (control panel>system -- general
tab). My Product Key code is displayed under the
registered to information.
 
Are you sure?

I just see the product ID, not the key

--
--Jonathan Maltz [Microsoft MVP - Windows Server]
http://www.imbored.biz - A Windows Server 2003 visual, step-by-step
tutorial site :-)
Only reply by newsgroup. If I see an email I didn't ask for, it will be
deleted without reading.
 
Here http://www.paulsxp.com/downloads.html and download 'ViewKey'

--
--------
Paul
--------
www.paulsxp.com
www.paulsxp.com/forums


Jonathan Maltz said:
Are you sure?

I just see the product ID, not the key

--
--Jonathan Maltz [Microsoft MVP - Windows Server]
http://www.imbored.biz - A Windows Server 2003 visual, step-by-step
tutorial site :-)
Only reply by newsgroup. If I see an email I didn't ask for, it will be
deleted without reading.


Nathan said:
If you have already installed XP, go to the system
information screen (control panel>system -- general
tab). My Product Key code is displayed under the
registered to information.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
That's different :-)

--
--Jonathan Maltz [Microsoft MVP - Windows Server]
http://www.imbored.biz - A Windows Server 2003 visual, step-by-step
tutorial site :-)
Only reply by newsgroup. If I see an email I didn't ask for, it will be
deleted without reading.


PaulM said:
Here http://www.paulsxp.com/downloads.html and download 'ViewKey'

--
--------
Paul
--------
www.paulsxp.com
www.paulsxp.com/forums


Jonathan Maltz said:
Are you sure?

I just see the product ID, not the key

--
--Jonathan Maltz [Microsoft MVP - Windows Server]
http://www.imbored.biz - A Windows Server 2003 visual, step-by-step
tutorial site :-)
Only reply by newsgroup. If I see an email I didn't ask for, it will be
deleted without reading.


Nathan said:
If you have already installed XP, go to the system
information screen (control panel>system -- general
tab). My Product Key code is displayed under the
registered to information.
-----Original Message-----
I LOST MYPRODUCT KEY CODE WHAT DO I DO?
.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Nathan said:
If you have already installed XP, go to the system
information screen (control panel>system -- general
tab). My Product Key code is displayed under the
registered to information.
Click to expand...

That is *not* the Key for installation, but the derived Product ID
number, used in checking eligibility for support among other things.

The one at magicjellybean will tell you the right one - or get the free
Aida 32, enterprise edition from
http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32
which is an excellent general System Info tool, and its Software -
Licenses page will tell you the one used for Windows and ones for
several other items.

Note that if the machine came with XP installed, these tools 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
 
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