Re: Lost my XP serial no

From: Bruce Chambers (bchambers_at_nospamcableone.net)
Date: 03/05/04 

Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2004 11:54:54 -0700

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 AIDA32
Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php 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 

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
You can have peace.  Or you can have freedom.  Don't ever count on 
having both at once. -- RAH
"Len Dolby" <lsdolby@ignore.ntlwor.com> wrote in message 
news:m332c.1663$54.1411@newsfe1-win...
> Have PC mfr Product Recovery CD-Rom "for distribution with a
> New PC only" with MS WindowsXP logo and hologram, with all the XP
> installation menus - (appears to be a full XP system disk) - BUT 
> have either
> mislaid (or never had) - the XP 25 digit serial no which I will need
> to re-install XP, as per MS  Knowledgebase article. CD-Rom came in a
> plain white sealed envelope, no serial no, no jewel case.
>
> Ran Belarc Adviser. my XP software licence looks like
> 55288-OEM-0016466-33741 (format correct, numbers not - security!)
> Assuming "dashes" count as characters, this is 23 characters long, 
> not 25.
>
> Is it possible to find my 25 digit XP product key from the HDD?
> (PC is now > 2 years old, out of warranty - no mfr help any more).
>
> Sincerely, LEN
>
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Installing Win XP Pro (just use another product key)
    ... machine - I assume this is an OEM license). ... The recovery disks that were supplied with the laptop were unable ... I have a genuine OEM Win XP Pro SP2 disc (from when I built my ... when I was asked to input the product key I ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Certificate Numbers
    ... If it was an OEM (factory ... installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer ... To recover a lost Product Key: ... image used at the factory and not _your_ specific Product Key; ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: auth code
    ... If it was an OEM (factory ... installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer ... To recover a lost Product Key: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Windows XP Serial Number
    ... If it was an OEM (factory ... installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer ... To recover a lost Product Key: ... image used at the factory and not _your_ specific Product Key; ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: product code
    ... If it was an OEM (factory ... installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer ... To recover a lost Product Key: ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.setup)