retrieve the product key from Windows XP Pro CD, not from system

  • Thread starter Thread starter javacc2
  • Start date Start date
J

javacc2

I have Windows XP Pro OEM CD, the problem is that I couldn't find
the product key and I couldn't proceed the CD installation process.

I have 2 questions:

1) Is there any way to bypass the step to enter the product key code
during the CD installation?

2) Any tools to retrieve the key from the CD, not from the system.
Magical Jelly Key Finder (http://michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm)
only retrieves the key from the system, not from CD. It couldn't
help in my scenario.

Please advise. thanks!!
 
1) Is there any way to bypass the step to enter the product key code
during the CD installation?
No

2) Any tools to retrieve the key from the CD, not from the system.
Magical Jelly Key Finder (http://michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm)
only retrieves the key from the system, not from CD. It couldn't
help in my scenario.
Click to expand...

There is no key on the CD, and the one that Key Finder finds is either your
correct key, or your OEM's global key. If the latter the real key should be
attached to your computer's case.
 
[email protected] said:
I have Windows XP Pro OEM CD, the problem is that I couldn't find
the product key and I couldn't proceed the CD installation process.

I have 2 questions:

1) Is there any way to bypass the step to enter the product key code
during the CD installation?
No.

2) Any tools to retrieve the key from the CD, not from the system.
Magical Jelly Key Finder (http://michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm)
only retrieves the key from the system, not from CD. It couldn't
help in my scenario.
Click to expand...

The cd does NOT have the key anywhere on it. It is on the label/sticker.
If the cd did have the key on it somewhere, each cd would be unique.
They are all the same. The installation becomes unique AFTER the key
ID is applied.
Please advise. thanks!!
Click to expand...

charles......
 
javacc2 said:
I have Windows XP Pro OEM CD, the problem is that I couldn't find
the product key and I couldn't proceed the CD installation process.

I have 2 questions:

1) Is there any way to bypass the step to enter the product key code
during the CD installation?

2) Any tools to retrieve the key from the CD, not from the system.
Magical Jelly Key Finder
(http://michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm) only retrieves the
key from the system, not from CD. It couldn't
help in my scenario.
Click to expand...


The key is not on the CD. Never was.
Without that CD Key - you do not have anything but a coaster.

Since it is an OEM CD - you must contact those you purchased the CD from (or
those who gave you the CD with your system) and see *if* they can help.
Chances are - they will not be able to assist you to your satisfaction (ie:
get you a CD Key.)

Are you sure it is not on a sticker on your system?
 
I have Windows XP Pro OEM CD, the problem is that I couldn't find
the product key and I couldn't proceed the CD installation process.

I have 2 questions:

1) Is there any way to bypass the step to enter the product key code
during the CD installation?

2) Any tools to retrieve the key from the CD, not from the system.
Magical Jelly Key Finder (http://michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm)
only retrieves the key from the system, not from CD. It couldn't
help in my scenario.

Please advise. thanks!!
Click to expand...


To get a key you need to buy a copy of XP.

There would have been one provided with that CD originally- either you did
not look after it properly (normally it would be stuck onto the computer
case of the machine that the OS was supplied with- if the CD came with your
computer look on your case, or in the XP booklet you get).

If you bought the CD only then you can't use it with a different machine
according to the product licence even if you got the key. And they are often
locked to the original machines BIOS.
 
The key is not on the CD. Never was.

I am confused. If there is no key on the CD, then how can the CD check
if I enter the correct product key?
 
In (e-mail address removed) had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
I am confused. If there is no key on the CD, then how can the CD check
if I enter the correct product key?
Click to expand...

Algorithms. The key follows a certain set of rules.

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

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes
 
javacc2 said:
I am confused. If there is no key on the CD, then how can the CD
check if I enter the correct product key?
Click to expand...

Math.
Formulas.
Algorithms.

The code you enter must follow a certain algorithm - or it will be rejected.
Top that off with Activation.
 
I have Windows XP Pro OEM CD, the problem is that I couldn't find
the product key and I couldn't proceed the CD installation process.

I have 2 questions:

1) Is there any way to bypass the step to enter the product key code
during the CD installation?
Click to expand...


Yes. You can use a diskette created for the unintended installation
and the file WINNT.SIF thereon to enter the Product Key for you.
However, as one needs to know the Product Key to create this file, this
solution isn't of any use to you.

2) Any tools to retrieve the key from the CD, not from the system.
Click to expand...


No. The Product Key is not stored on the installation CD in any
way, shape, or form. 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
 
If I buy Win XP CD from
http://www.edirectsoftware.com/product.php?product_id=16134,
can I install that in multiple machines?

please advise. thanks!
Click to expand...


In all likelihood, you won't be able to install it on a single machine.
That site doesn't sell legitimate licenses, if the reports of many
other posters are to be believed.


--

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
 
Michael said:
In
Click to expand...


According to that web site, the OEM CDs available are specifically
branded for Dell computers. That means that:

1) The WinXP license is legitimate *only* if it comes wrapped in a Dell PC,

2) Those CDs will only install on a Dell computer.

The web site is nothing but a rip-off.


--

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 said:
According to that web site, the OEM CDs available are specifically
branded for Dell computers. That means that:

1) The WinXP license is legitimate *only* if it comes wrapped in a Dell
PC,

2) Those CDs will only install on a Dell computer.

The web site is nothing but a rip-off.
Click to expand...

I suspect that they might be an earlier version of Dell OEM CDs that
were not bios locked. There were non bios locked CDs issued by Dell
quite some time ago. How eDirect got ahold of them is probably illegal,
though, and I agree that it sure appears to be a ripoff to me. I
wouldn't trust buying them either.

Steve N.
 
Steve said:
I suspect that they might be an earlier version of Dell OEM CDs that
were not bios locked.
Click to expand...


In that they might well be older CDs, you're quite probably correct,
especially since Dell has stopped providing any CDs now.

There were non bios locked CDs issued by Dell
quite some time ago.
Click to expand...


I'm not aware of any Dell OEM CDs that weren't at least "BIOS Aware."
In other words, they'd install on any system, but, when a non-Dell BIOS
was detected, require the entry of the Product Key and then activation.
Microsoft's new, more stringent rules for activating OEM licenses
should catch these. But you're right; they weren't truly "locked" to
the BIOS.

How eDirect got ahold of them is probably illegal,
though, and I agree that it sure appears to be a ripoff to me. I
wouldn't trust buying them either.
Click to expand...


Ditto.


--

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 said:
In that they might well be older CDs, you're quite probably correct,
especially since Dell has stopped providing any CDs now.





I'm not aware of any Dell OEM CDs that weren't at least "BIOS
Aware." In other words, they'd install on any system, but, when a
non-Dell BIOS was detected, require the entry of the Product Key and
then activation. Microsoft's new, more stringent rules for activating
OEM licenses should catch these. But you're right; they weren't truly
"locked" to the BIOS.





Ditto.
Click to expand...

Perhaps someone should send that link to MS's piracy report? I'm tempted
to just to see their reaction. Question - when someone reports possible
piracy to MS do they respond/followup on the issue?

Steve N.
 
In Steve N. had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
Perhaps someone should send that link to MS's piracy report? I'm
tempted to just to see their reaction. Question - when someone
reports possible piracy to MS do they respond/followup on the issue?

Steve N.
Click to expand...


I can share what I've witnessed with that.

They have never responded to me personally. My assumption is that the
followup on the issue but they don't share what they do with the person who
reported it.

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

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes
 
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