Re: lost activation key help!

I guess my confusion is how to know if the software is activatable
before you buy it. If I want a copy for use on a new PC (PC I own, and
am willing to remove all software from), I buy one with OEM key, yet I
have found often these copies still are unable to be activated even if
they are real, unopened and have a key. How can I find out ahead of
time, before buying, that the activation will go through when buying
from an individual, not a big company like MS or Staples etc. I got
stung myself once buying Office from the amazon website, which switched
me to a 'storefront' and I bought Office for a reasonable $300 or so, I
thought. Couldn't activate as the OEM had already done it, and
apparently guy thought he could resell it since he didn't 'install' it
personally. He didn't know any better either. Lots of people
(especially us old folks) don't know enough to know what's installed
and what isn't on a new PC.

This time, my friend is just stuck unless the person she bought it from
knows the key, right? I thought I remembered a place on MS to buy a
key for an existing CD (already in my hands) when you've not yet
registered the original key for that CD yet. Any idea where? It was
like $99 or something?

Thanks, guess this is my last try at saving her some $$
Ann


Bruce Chambers wrote:
bell-lady wrote:
Just bought Windows XP Pro from an internet seller. It was in unopened
box, with unopened plastic wrap inside with sticker (holographic,
looked just right) on it. Wife left wrapper inside box, husband burned
the box after we took CD out but before installing, and the wrapper
with the holographic label thingy was in the box!

Is there any way to get the key without paying for another?


Probably not, but contact the company from whom you purchased the OS.
Also it wouldn't hurt to contact Microsoft, 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


The product
was bought from someone over the internet, not from Microsoft or a big
company.

ie: if we go ahead and install it (since it is 'for use with new pc'
we'd have to reformat right?), .....


(This implies an OEM license, so you'll have to contact the
manufacturer of the computer with which the license was purchased, or
the seller. Microsoft cannot and will not help, if such is the case.)


.... but once done can we use regedit or
something I've heard y'all talk about to get the key?



No. It's not possible to install it without the key.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Office 2003 Pro - No Activation Wizard :-(
    ... Below are instructions originally posted by Leon Hao from Microsoft to manually remove and then reinstall Office 2003. ... After it crippled itself and I spoke to a rep for the company that sold me the PC, they said it was a full version that I could purchase from them. ... My fear now is that somehow there is a registry entry from the original standard edition telling Office that unless it was purchased from the original suppliers, it would continually cripple. ... Problems usually occur when people try to install a full version of Office 2003 on top of a trial version of Office 2003, when the proper way is to delete the trial version and then install the full version. ...
    (microsoft.public.office.setup)
  • Re: Office 2003 Pro - No Activation Wizard :-(
    ... I was able to purchase a "Home use" ... Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003, Size: 366.0 MB, Used: frquently. ... original suppliers, it would continually cripple. ... delete the trial version and then install the full version. ...
    (microsoft.public.office.setup)
  • Re: Cannot Install SP-1
    ... Windows Update pops up on my screen as it is at this moment telling me I have ... MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS ... Microsoft and install it on your device. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: office & XP
    ... AVAILABLE PHYSICAL MEMORY 655.64 MB ... Then you should be able to purchase a ... If you can prove a change of authority over the license from the old ... Then I install a new and licensed copy of the OS I desire. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Installing XP on Two PCs
    ... I know Microsoft has cracked down on piracy so I don't want to go through the trouble of installing everything and then not being able to register windows. ... You need to purchase a separate WinXP license for each computer on which you install it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
Loading