XP product key on netbook label almost unreadable

[123Jim]

Hi all,
I am about to reset an XP netbook back to factory settings. Unfortunately
the license key printed on the label on the base has two or three of letters
that are not very clear.

I ran the Jelly key finder and found the key in the registry. Unfortunately
it does not match the key on the label which leads me to believe that it is
the manufacturer's 'multiple machine' XP key.

Can I use this to re-install XP on this netbook?

If not what happens if I can't correctly guess the missing letters on the
label?

 

[Tom Willett]

: I ran the Jelly key finder and found the key in the registry.
Unfortunately
: it does not match the key on the label which leads me to believe that it
is
: the manufacturer's 'multiple machine' XP key.

Yes, that's what it is.
:
: Can I use this to re-install XP on this netbook?

No you can't. It must be the one you can't read.
:
: If not what happens if I can't correctly guess the missing letters on the
: label?
:
Contact the vendor?

 

[123Jim]

: I ran the Jelly key finder and found the key in the registry.
Unfortunately
: it does not match the key on the label which leads me to believe that it
is
: the manufacturer's 'multiple machine' XP key.

Yes, that's what it is.
:
: Can I use this to re-install XP on this netbook?

No you can't. It must be the one you can't read.
:
: If not what happens if I can't correctly guess the missing letters on
the
: label?
:
Contact the vendor?

Thanks for the speedy reply.
I have the vendor's number to hand just in case.
Here's hoping I don't need to use it.

 

[Buffalo]

Thanks for the speedy reply.
I have the vendor's number to hand just in case.
Here's hoping I don't need to use it.

Why not call the vendor first and see if the number he gives you will match
the one on the sticker?
Buffalo

 

[123Jim]

Why not call the vendor first and see if the number he gives you will
match
the one on the sticker?
Buffalo

Good thinking .. but too late now .. I began reset with Acer eRecovery
program. Luckily It turns out this Acer Aspire one netbook eRecovery program
does not ask for a product key.
Acer have gone up in my estimation.

 

[LD55ZRA]

Why not call the vendor first and see if the number he gives you will match
the one on the sticker?
Buffalo

Vendors don't keep a record of serial numbers on their system. Their
standard answer is it is on the base of the system. If you can't read
it then tough luck and you need to buy a new license.

hth

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IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
OR ITS ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[LD55ZRA]

Hi all,
I am about to reset an XP netbook back to factory settings. Unfortunately
the license key printed on the label on the base has two or three of letters
that are not very clear.

I ran the Jelly key finder and found the key in the registry. Unfortunately
it does not match the key on the label which leads me to believe that it is
the manufacturer's 'multiple machine' XP key.

Can I use this to re-install XP on this netbook?

If not what happens if I can't correctly guess the missing letters on the
label?

You are lucky the label is still there but some users have complained
that the sticker got lost and you can clearly see that something was
stuck at that place but now it isn't there at all.

Microsoft is now recommending small and medium sized vendors to put the
sticker with other paperwork so that it doesn't peel out so easily and
get lost in transit. Whether this is followed is a different matter
altogether.

Have you tried using the magnifying glass to read the number? You never
know you may just be able to work it out by looking at it when magnified.

hth

--
THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND. LD55ZRA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
OR ITS ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[123Jim]

You are lucky the label is still there but some users have complained that
the sticker got lost and you can clearly see that something was stuck at
that place but now it isn't there at all.

Microsoft is now recommending small and medium sized vendors to put the
sticker with other paperwork so that it doesn't peel out so easily and get
lost in transit. Whether this is followed is a different matter
altogether.

Have you tried using the magnifying glass to read the number? You never
know you may just be able to work it out by looking at it when magnified.

hth

We studied it pretty closely, but not with a magnifying glass, which is a
good idea.
You may have missed my post earlier in which I inform of the happy situation
that this Acer netbook's recovery software does not require a product key.
I will store the key, ~~ or what I think is the key ~~ for future repairs on
this netbook should it ever be required.
cheers

 

[Buffalo]

Good thinking .. but too late now .. I began reset with Acer eRecovery
program. Luckily It turns out this Acer Aspire one netbook eRecovery
program does not ask for a product key.
Acer have gone up in my estimation.

Happy to hear the results were good.
Buffalo

 

[John Wunderlich]

Hi all,
I am about to reset an XP netbook back to factory settings.
Unfortunately the license key printed on the label on the base has
two or three of letters that are not very clear.

I ran the Jelly key finder and found the key in the registry.
Unfortunately it does not match the key on the label which leads
me to believe that it is the manufacturer's 'multiple machine' XP
key.

Can I use this to re-install XP on this netbook?

If not what happens if I can't correctly guess the missing letters
on the label?

"Transferring Windows XP Activation Information"
"How to Reinstall Windows XP Without Having to Reactivate With
Microsoft"
<http://netsecurity.about.com/od/windowsxp/qt/aaqtwinxp0829.htm>

HTH,
John