Lost XP disc

[Mike Reily]

Please help. I ordered XP Home with my computer kit from
GoogleGear. I installed and authenticated with MS, but
now I have lost my disc and cert. Googlegear cannot help
me without the cert and I cannot find any way to contact
MS to ask them what I can do without paying to do so.

Any ideas?

It seems that MS knows my software and hardware it is
married to and that I should be able to get a replacement
CD.

[Bruce Chambers]

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 or ViewKeyXP from
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm 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
OS; 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


"Mike Reily" > wrote in message
...
> Please help. I ordered XP Home with my computer kit from
> GoogleGear. I installed and authenticated with MS, but
> now I have lost my disc and cert. Googlegear cannot help
> me without the cert and I cannot find any way to contact
> MS to ask them what I can do without paying to do so.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> It seems that MS knows my software and hardware it is
> married to and that I should be able to get a replacement
> CD.

[Patrick]

Mike Reily wrote:
> Please help. I ordered XP Home with my computer kit from
> GoogleGear. I installed and authenticated with MS, but
> now I have lost my disc and cert. Googlegear cannot help
> me without the cert and I cannot find any way to contact
> MS to ask them what I can do without paying to do so.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> It seems that MS knows my software and hardware it is
> married to and that I should be able to get a replacement
> CD.

Have a look at this page (link below)

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm