Lost Key code for Win XP Pro

[Jazzz]

I bought the full WinXP Pro and installed it on my
computer. I haven't regestered it but did activate it the
day it was installed. When I first installed the software,
there was a key code I had to type in. It was on a small
piece of paper and had lots of shinny hologram stuff all
over it from what I remember. I was out of town last week
and my wife came in and cleaned up my office desk and I
believe she "cleaned up" that little piece with the code
on it.

It's not a problem now since the software is installed and
activated. My concern is if something crashs and I have to
reinstall I won't have my key code. Is there a way I can
get a new one?? I have the cd disk and store regester tape
showing my purchace.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

[Chris Lanier]

Since Windows XP is still installed use this
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

"Jazzz" > wrote in message
...
> I bought the full WinXP Pro and installed it on my
> computer. I haven't regestered it but did activate it the
> day it was installed. When I first installed the software,
> there was a key code I had to type in. It was on a small
> piece of paper and had lots of shinny hologram stuff all
> over it from what I remember. I was out of town last week
> and my wife came in and cleaned up my office desk and I
> believe she "cleaned up" that little piece with the code
> on it.
>
> It's not a problem now since the software is installed and
> activated. My concern is if something crashs and I have to
> reinstall I won't have my key code. Is there a way I can
> get a new one?? I have the cd disk and store regester tape
> showing my purchace.
>
> Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>

[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 holographic label that the PC
manufacturer is supposed to affix to the exterior of the PC case, or
on the bottom of a laptop. The Product Key is _not_ stored on, nor is
it in any way extractable from, the installation CD.

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
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


"Jazzz" > wrote in message
...
> I bought the full WinXP Pro and installed it on my
> computer. I haven't regestered it but did activate it the
> day it was installed. When I first installed the software,
> there was a key code I had to type in. It was on a small
> piece of paper and had lots of shinny hologram stuff all
> over it from what I remember. I was out of town last week
> and my wife came in and cleaned up my office desk and I
> believe she "cleaned up" that little piece with the code
> on it.
>
> It's not a problem now since the software is installed and
> activated. My concern is if something crashs and I have to
> reinstall I won't have my key code. Is there a way I can
> get a new one?? I have the cd disk and store regester tape
> showing my purchace.
>
> Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>

Thank you very much for the help with this. The software
you suggested gave me the key code number I needed. Quite
interestingly enough, it also has a ton other info I don't
know how to use but am sure having fun looking at as well.




>-----Original Message-----
>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 holographic label
that the PC
>manufacturer is supposed to affix to the exterior of the
PC case, or
>on the bottom of a laptop. The Product Key is _not_
stored on, nor is
>it in any way extractable from, the installation CD.
>
> 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
>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
>
>
>"Jazzz" > wrote in
message
...
>> I bought the full WinXP Pro and installed it on my
>> computer. I haven't regestered it but did activate it
the
>> day it was installed. When I first installed the
software,
>> there was a key code I had to type in. It was on a small
>> piece of paper and had lots of shinny hologram stuff all
>> over it from what I remember. I was out of town last
week
>> and my wife came in and cleaned up my office desk and I
>> believe she "cleaned up" that little piece with the code
>> on it.
>>
>> It's not a problem now since the software is installed
and
>> activated. My concern is if something crashs and I have
to
>> reinstall I won't have my key code. Is there a way I can
>> get a new one?? I have the cd disk and store regester
tape
>> showing my purchace.
>>
>> Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>.
>

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You're welcome.

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


> wrote in message
...
> Thank you very much for the help with this. The software
> you suggested gave me the key code number I needed. Quite
> interestingly enough, it also has a ton other info I don't
> know how to use but am sure having fun looking at as well.
>
>
>
>