-----Original Message-----
How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;
[ln];326246
Nicholas, thanks for the reply. It was impied in my
message, but not explicitly stated that the software was
OEM. The MS site is of no help for OEM software. I did
get the response below from another newsgroup and am
trying to see if Googlegear can use the product code
obrtained using this procedure.
-Mike Reily
______________Below______________
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
