Win XP CD key issue...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe D.
  • Start date Start date
J

Joe D.

....Or rather, lack of a CD key.

Today I had planned on formatting and reinstalling Windows XP as a part of
my annual home network 'spring cleaning' procedure. So I have the CD and
I'm ready to begin when I realize my father cleaned out my closet and threw
away all my software boxes. (Throwing away all my CD key codes in the
process). I'm now kicking myself for not writing down all my codes for
emergencies, bleh.

Anyway, am I screwed now? Am I going to have to go out and buy a new copy
of XP for $100, or is there a method of contacting Microsoft to fix this?
Or maybe a utility I could run that would display my CD Key number?

Any suggestions are welcomed, thanks in advance!

_teckn0_joe_@_com_cast_._net (remove all underscores)
 
Joe D. said in news:[email protected]:
...Or rather, lack of a CD key.

Today I had planned on formatting and reinstalling Windows XP as a
part of my annual home network 'spring cleaning' procedure. So I
have the CD and I'm ready to begin when I realize my father cleaned
out my closet and threw away all my software boxes. (Throwing away
all my CD key codes in the process). I'm now kicking myself for not
writing down all my codes for emergencies, bleh.

Anyway, am I screwed now? Am I going to have to go out and buy a new
copy of XP for $100, or is there a method of contacting Microsoft to
fix this? Or maybe a utility I could run that would display my CD Key
number?

Any suggestions are welcomed, thanks in advance!

_teckn0_joe_@_com_cast_._net (remove all underscores)
Click to expand...

Call Microsoft for a replacement product key. Click on the Contact Us
link at the bottom of their home page and follow the prompts for your
product. You get 2 incidents with Windows XP (before having to pay for
their support). When you get the product key, use a Sharpie marker to
write it onto the CD label (or put a strip of tape on it close to the
hub hole and write on that).
 
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 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 whomever sold you the
PC; 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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