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, and someone has removed/destroyed the
label, you should contact you 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
nottosmart said:
I received a win xp disk with my new computer about 6 months ago. I
wrote the auth code down on the sleeve. I must have transposed some
numbers or letters. I need to reinstall. I formatted my computer and
can't use the michaelstevens site. Any suggestions. Can I e-mail
someone with the code I wrote down and they tell me what I have done
wrong?
