Re: Recovering CD-Key

From: Bruce Chambers (bchambers_at_nospamcableone.net)
Date: 02/24/04 

Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 20:30:34 -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
<anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message 
news:1476601c3fa46$1a6a88b0$a101280a@phx.gbl...
>I bought 2 copies of WinXP SR-1 and installed each on
> seperate machines, and legally activated and registered
> each with Microsoft.
> In a recent move, one computer got dropped, and HDD is
> DEAD, and nothing is recoverable.
>
> I can't find this computer's CD-Key but Microsoft should
> have it because I registered it.
>
> Anybody know:
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: 25 diget code for windows xp
    ... installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker ... 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: XP Pro Product Key
    ... installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker ... 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: Product Key
    ... installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker ... 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: Lost Product ID
    ... installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker ... 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.security_admin)
  • Re: Win XP - Product Code
    ... installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker ... 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.general)