windows serial number - lost!

[Guest]

Hello,
I'd like to perform a clean install of Home edition, but I've lost the
serial number that came with the disc.

Anyone knows what to do?
cheers.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If your computer is still operational:

Retrieve your Windows XP CD key
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

If your computer is not operational:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| Hello,
| I'd like to perform a clean install of Home edition, but I've lost the
| serial number that came with the disc.
|
| Anyone knows what to do?
| cheers.

 

[Spikey]

Hello,
I'd like to perform a clean install of Home edition, but I've lost the
serial number that came with the disc.

Right click My computer, left click on properties - number is on the general
tab.

 

[Malke]

Hello,
I'd like to perform a clean install of Home edition, but I've lost the
serial number that came with the disc.

Anyone knows what to do?
cheers.

If Windows is still installed, use one of these product key finders
(free):

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Malke

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hello,
I'd like to perform a clean install of Home edition, but I've lost the
serial number that came with the disc.

Anyone knows what to do?
cheers.

If Windows is still up and running then this product will tell
you the number: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

 

[Guest]

Here you go:

http://pcsupport.about.com/cs/pctutorials/a/lostkey_2.htm

Download the utility located on the same page.
Will 100% work.

Let us know!

 

[kurttrail]

Right click My computer, left click on properties - number is on the
general tab.

That is the Product ID, not the Product Key that is needed to reinstall.

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

 

[T. Waters]

Hello,
I'd like to perform a clean install of Home edition, but I've lost the
serial number that came with the disc.

Anyone knows what to do?
cheers.

Once you obtain the key, write it on the envelope or package you keep your
disk in, and keep it in a safe place!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello,
I'd like to perform a clean install of Home edition, but I've lost the
serial number that came with the disc.

Anyone knows what to do?
cheers.

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." The Product Key is not stored on
the installation CD in any way, shape, or form. 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:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Guest]

Well thank you all for your responses - very helpful: I'm about to try ALL
the different utilities you have mentioned for retrieving the key (it's good
to evaluate such things).
P.C. is working fine, but it's not been reinstalled for eons and has more
junk on it than I care to consider - too many codecs, updates, stubborn
virus/adware remnants etc etc etc...
When I asked microsoft to perform an online check of my system it stated
that my problem should be taken up with my P.C.'s manufacturer; so I suppose
it's an OEM version? I can't remember! I've assembled my own P.C. and think
that I purchased an OEM copy of XP from the parts supplier, come to think of
it I'm pretty sure now.
So I suppose we'll see!
P.S. To the person who advised me to keep the key safe: Yes mother, you're
quite right. Problem is I move around quite a bit, so I carefully moved the
key to place it somewhere safe... You know the rest. ;-)

"Bruce Chambers" a écrit :

 

[Guest]

Well, I tried the utilities ('jelly bean' incredibly quick and easy - Belarc
produced the same results but with tons more info, better than Karen's tools
utility...) but am left none the wiser.
As Bruce pointed out, the problem could be that the product key the
utilities produced could be the P.C. manufacturer's 'master key' (if you
will).
However, as I stated earlier, my OEM copy came as a single item from a PC
parts supplier... Apparently most of the problems occur with Dell P.C's, so
unless the wholesaler managed to aquire a truck-load of Dell window's xp
discs...

Finally, the 'jelly bean' utility has an option to change the key - this too
could be problematic I suppose: If it's a key generator then it should be
fine, if on the other hand it uses the original (known) key to generate
another - and that original key is OEM and obsolete, will this affect the
validity of the new key??
What to do - what to do???

Sorry for going on so much, and thanks again for all the help.

"klausenheimeren" a écrit :

 

[Mike Fields]

Not sure why Belarc would return a manufacturer "master key"
if you installed it yourself (you said you assembled your own
PC and purchased an OEM copy from the supplier). One
thing I do is write the key (a bit late I know) on the CD with
a sharpie felt pen. Harder to lose the CD than the envelope
with the sticker. I also have a small database utility that I
track of all my keys for the different machines in. I have
found that writing the key on the CD has saved me several
times since the envelope has either a) wandered away
somewhere or b) there are several envelopes laying around
with "keys" on them ... but no indication of which product
CD they go with (try keys till you find the right one ??).
If you figure it out, consider writing it inside the case where
you will not lose it (although to keep Cary happy, you
need to write it on the motherboard since it is OEM).

mikey