No authorization code

[mary ripma]

Fry's Electronics in Palo Alto sold us a component system
with Windows XP. My son got a virus and now that we have
wiped out the hard drive to start over we find that all
we have is the serial number for Windows XP. We don'thave
the authorization code. Fry's claims they gave it to us
but if they did we cannot find it. How can I get the
authorization code when all I have is the serial number?
Thanks, Mary

 

[Chris Lanier]

All you need is the product key. The key is either on the folder or the
plastic wrap he XP CD-ROM was in.

 

[Willit]

Look on the side of the case or the back. it's easy to
miss ,has a couple bar codes with the key #

 

[Steve C. Ray]

Look on the back of the computer. There should be a sticker with the Product
Key if XP came installed on the computer.

 

[cimex]

When had my hard drive replaced by Fry's, I foolishly also had them install
XP (for $60!) They gave me back my XP CD, with the packaging, including the
cellophane material from the outside of the CD package. On the cellophane
were two labels. One had my product key on it. The other said "you are
required to affix this Certificate of Authenticity to the exterior of the
PC." I guess they didn't think "you" referred to them! Good thing I never
throw out anything related to my computer...
(And thanks to this newsgroup for informing me as to the existence of the
label, and its significance.)

 

[Bruce Chambers]

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 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

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[Alex Nichol]

Fry's Electronics in Palo Alto sold us a component system
with Windows XP. My son got a virus and now that we have
wiped out the hard drive to start over we find that all
we have is the serial number for Windows XP. We don'thave
the authorization code. Fry's claims they gave it to us
but if they did we cannot find it. How can I get the
authorization code when all I have is the serial number?

Just to make sure - what you are looking for is a 25 character 'Product
Key', in five groups of five, like
ABD8G-HGFDS-9FTHJ-SDGYM-K7TWS

It ought to be on a label attached to the CD case, or on a yellow label
on the card that was in the box (marked 'Do not lose this number').

It that *is* lost and Frys can't/won't help, and you have already wiped
the drive, I know of no way of getting it back