Windows XP OEM Product Key

[Duncs]

Last year I bought a hard-disk and received an OEM copy of WinXP Pro
with it. This I then installed on the disk, and all has worked fine.
However, I had some issues with the drive which resulted in me having
to wipe the drive & re-install windows. However, that is where the
problem arises. I can't find my installation code for WinXP. I
remember it being on a sticker on the back of the CD envelope, but
it's not there now. All I can see is the mark where it was stuck on,
obviously before it fell off.

So, my question is this, how can I find out what my product key was?
Can I get this infomration from Microsoft, as the software was
registered and authenticated?

TIA

Duncs

 

[Ray Luca]

Last year I bought a hard-disk and received an OEM copy of WinXP Pro
with it. This I then installed on the disk, and all has worked fine.
However, I had some issues with the drive which resulted in me having
to wipe the drive & re-install windows. However, that is where the
problem arises. I can't find my installation code for WinXP. I
remember it being on a sticker on the back of the CD envelope, but
it's not there now. All I can see is the mark where it was stuck on,
obviously before it fell off.

So, my question is this, how can I find out what my product key was?
Can I get this infomration from Microsoft, as the software was
registered and authenticated?

You. Are. Screwed.

 

[Daave]

Last year I bought a hard-disk and received an OEM copy of WinXP Pro
with it. This I then installed on the disk, and all has worked fine.
However, I had some issues with the drive which resulted in me having
to wipe the drive & re-install windows. However, that is where the
problem arises. I can't find my installation code for WinXP. I
remember it being on a sticker on the back of the CD envelope, but
it's not there now. All I can see is the mark where it was stuck on,
obviously before it fell off.

So, my question is this, how can I find out what my product key was?
Can I get this infomration from Microsoft, as the software was
registered and authenticated?

There are utilities that will tell you what the Product Key is.
Unfortunately they don't work on drives that have been erased. :-(

In the future, tape the key (or the paper that contains the key) to your
PC case. A nearby notebook should have it listed as well.

Sorry, pal, but unless the person/store that sold you this CD has a
record of what the key is (highly unlikely!), you are SOL. If it were a
Retail version and you still had the receipt, you could contact
Microsoft, but that's not your situation.

 

[m.fields]

There are utilities that will tell you what the Product Key is.
Unfortunately they don't work on drives that have been erased. :-(

In the future, tape the key (or the paper that contains the key) to your
PC case. A nearby notebook should have it listed as well.

Sorry, pal, but unless the person/store that sold you this CD has a
record of what the key is (highly unlikely!), you are SOL. If it were a
Retail version and you still had the receipt, you could contact
Microsoft, but that's not your situation.

The program you need to use is called Magical Jelly Bean. It is
freeware. Just search for it, download it and execute it. It will give
you your Windows XP key. Make sure to write it down.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Last year I bought a hard-disk and received an OEM copy of WinXP Pro
with it. This I then installed on the disk, and all has worked fine.
However, I had some issues with the drive which resulted in me having
to wipe the drive & re-install windows. However, that is where the
problem arises. I can't find my installation code for WinXP. I
remember it being on a sticker on the back of the CD envelope, but
it's not there now. All I can see is the mark where it was stuck on,
obviously before it fell off.

So, my question is this, how can I find out what my product key was?
Can I get this infomration from Microsoft, as the software was
registered and authenticated?

TIA

Duncs

Sorry, but if you've wiped the drive, and don't have the sticker, you no
longer have the code. You have to buy another one.

OEM CDs usually come with a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker that's
intended to go onto the physical PC case. This has the install key code.
Retail CDs don't have this, so I often print off the code and use clear
packing tape to affix it to the PC.

MS will likely not have the key code.

Sorry there isn't better news.

HTH
-pk

 

[Patrick Keenan]

There are utilities that will tell you what the Product Key is.
Unfortunately they don't work on drives that have been erased. :-(

In the future, tape the key (or the paper that contains the key) to your
PC case. A nearby notebook should have it listed as well.

Sorry, pal, but unless the person/store that sold you this CD has a
record of what the key is (highly unlikely!), you are SOL. If it were a
Retail version and you still had the receipt, you could contact
Microsoft, but that's not your situation.

The program you need to use is called Magical Jelly Bean. It is
freeware. Just search for it, download it and execute it. It will give
you your Windows XP key. Make sure to write it down.
================

The keyfinder works, but unfortunately, if the drive has been wiped as the
OP descibes, there's nothing to run the keyfinder on.

Other utilities such as Belarc system audit software also display the XP
install key - along with the install keys for things like Office, and that
can be very helpful information.

Alas, none of this helps the OP.

 

[Nate Grossman]

The program you need to use is called Magical Jelly Bean. It is
freeware. Just search for it, download it and execute it. It will give
you your Windows XP key. Make sure to write it down.

YOU are a moron. The OP wiped the drive and reinstalled.

 

[VanguardLH]

Last year I bought a hard-disk and received an OEM copy of WinXP Pro
with it. This I then installed on the disk, and all has worked fine.
However, I had some issues with the drive which resulted in me having
to wipe the drive & re-install windows. However, that is where the
problem arises. I can't find my installation code for WinXP. I
remember it being on a sticker on the back of the CD envelope, but
it's not there now. All I can see is the mark where it was stuck on,
obviously before it fell off.

So, my question is this, how can I find out what my product key was?
Can I get this infomration from Microsoft, as the software was
registered and authenticated?

TIA

Duncs

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_replace_rrr_master?ws=mscom#tab2

 

[Duncs]

Last year I bought a hard-disk and received an OEM copy of WinXP Pro
with it.  This I then installed on the disk, and all has worked fine.
However, I had some issues with the drive which resulted in me having
to wipe the drive & re-install windows.  However, that is where the
problem arises.  I can't find my installation code for WinXP.  I
remember it being on a sticker on the back of the CD envelope, but
it's not there now.  All I can see is the mark where it was stuck on,
obviously before it fell off.

So, my question is this, how can I find out what my product key was?
Can I get this infomration from Microsoft, as the software was
registered and authenticated?

TIA

Duncs

Thankfully, I called Microsoft and they were able to provide me with a
new product key.

All is now well, and XP is re-installed. Suffice to say, the product
key is written down and taped to the iniside of the case!!

Duncs

 

[Bank Techie]

I have a similar issue in an office setting with an OEM version and a missing
key since somebody peeled it off the PC! However, in my case I can't log in
to windows at all because the "bad" version can't be activated without a key.
I have a brand new XP Pro, but can't install. Is there any way to wipe the
hard drive and start from scratch?