Windows XP reinstall problem

[Guest mitch rapp]

I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. I have the original

Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I realized

that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of the disk

pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

reinstallation.

[Guest Rich Barry]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

Mitch, there are a few Utilities that will recover the Product Code Key

while WinXP is still loaded on your System. I am

not aware of any that could determine it from just the XP CD. You may

have to give MS a call.

"mitch rapp" <mitch rapp@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:1597DC52-669F-496F-B0BD-D9C79866FC8D@microsoft.com...

>I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. I have the original

> Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I

> realized

> that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of the disk

> pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

> reinstallation.

[Guest Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

Rich;

The Product Key is not on the CD at all so there is no possibility of

using a tool to retrieve the key.

 

--

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar

http://www.dts-l.org

 

 

"Rich Barry" <rbarry@socal.rr.com> wrote in message

news:46dc5021$0$11052$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> Mitch, there are a few Utilities that will recover the Product Code

> Key while WinXP is still loaded on your System. I am

> not aware of any that could determine it from just the XP CD. You

> may have to give MS a call.

[Guest Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

The key is not on the CD so it is not retrievable from there.

If the hard drive were not formatted-cleared, the key could be seen

using a utility such as Everest.

 

If Windows XP is retail, contact Microsoft:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

 

If Windows XP is OEM, contact the seller.

Also look on the side, back etc of the case.

The sticker should be there for OEM.

 

You may need to purchase Windows XP again if that is what you want.

 

--

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar

http://www.dts-l.org

 

 

"mitch rapp" <mitch rapp@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:1597DC52-669F-496F-B0BD-D9C79866FC8D@microsoft.com...

>I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. I have the

>original

> Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I

> realized

> that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of

> the disk

> pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

> reinstallation.

[Guest oscar]

RE: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

Mitch,

 

If I understand you, the XP recovery/OS disk that you want to use came with

your PC. On my laptops the key product code for the XP or Vista OS disk is on

the bottom of the laptop. If you have a desktop, you will find the service

tag and express service codes somewhere on the front or rear of the PC. You

might have to call the PC tech support for help.

 

I hope this helps.

 

oscar

"mitch rapp" wrote:

> I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. I have the original

> Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I realized

> that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of the disk

> pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

> reinstallation.

[Guest Bruce Chambers]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

mitch rapp wrote:

> I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. I have the original

> Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I realized

> that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of the disk

> pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

> reinstallation.

 

 

 

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the

installation) is not on the installation CD in any way, shape, or form.

It 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 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 the computer's

manufacturer; 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

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

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

[Guest Paul Randall]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

All of my original OS CD/DVDs have the product key on them. That's what big

blue sharpie pens are for -- it just seems so obvious that the key must

never be separated from the CD :-)

 

-Paul Randall

 

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_jupiter@hotnomail.com> wrote in message

news:usGn6pl7HHA.5316@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> Rich;

> The Product Key is not on the CD at all so there is no possibility of

> using a tool to retrieve the key.

>

> --

> Jupiter Jones [MVP]

> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar

> http://www.dts-l.org

>

>

> "Rich Barry" <rbarry@socal.rr.com> wrote in message

> news:46dc5021$0$11052$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>> Mitch, there are a few Utilities that will recover the Product Code Key

>> while WinXP is still loaded on your System. I am

>> not aware of any that could determine it from just the XP CD. You may

>> have to give MS a call.

>

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

On Mon, 3 Sep 2007 09:46:02 -0700, mitch rapp <mitch

rapp@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP.

 

 

 

You probably didn't have to, but you chose to. It's seldom the right

solution for a problem.

 

> I have the original

> Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I realized

> that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of the disk

> pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

> reinstallation.

 

 

How did you get Windows XP in the first place? If it came with the

computer, there should be a sticker someplace on the computer itself

with the product key. If not, and yours is an retail version, contact

Microsoft. If it's OEM, contact the place you bought it from, but

chances are that you are out of luck and will need to buy a new copy.

 

 

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

I actually thought of that but decided against mentioning it.

I do not do it, but some people would benefit from that practice.

 

I once saw a CD where the key (or maybe the owners name) was engraved

on the CD, a little surprised the CD still worked.

 

--

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar

http://www.dts-l.org

 

 

"Paul Randall" <paulr901@cableone.net> wrote in message

news:eKMMTKn7HHA.5096@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> All of my original OS CD/DVDs have the product key on them. That's

> what big blue sharpie pens are for -- it just seems so obvious that

> the key must never be separated from the CD :-)

>

> -Paul Randall

>

> "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_jupiter@hotnomail.com> wrote in message

> news:usGn6pl7HHA.5316@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>> Rich;

>> The Product Key is not on the CD at all so there is no possibility

>> of using a tool to retrieve the key.

>>

>> --

>> Jupiter Jones [MVP]

>> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar

>> http://www.dts-l.org

>>

>>

>> "Rich Barry" <rbarry@socal.rr.com> wrote in message

>> news:46dc5021$0$11052$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>> Mitch, there are a few Utilities that will recover the Product

>>> Code Key while WinXP is still loaded on your System. I am

>>> not aware of any that could determine it from just the XP CD.

>>> You may have to give MS a call.

>>

>

>

[Guest Rich Barry]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

Jupiter, thanks for the heads up. Somehow I knew that but it must be

the heat out here in Huntington Beach causing my

fuzzy thinking. That's twice today.

"mitch rapp" <mitch rapp@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:1597DC52-669F-496F-B0BD-D9C79866FC8D@microsoft.com...

>I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. I have the original

> Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I

> realized

> that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of the disk

> pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

> reinstallation.

[Guest Paul Knudsen]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

On Mon, 3 Sep 2007 09:46:02 -0700, mitch rapp <mitch

rapp@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I had to clear my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. I have the original

>Windows XP disk that came with my PC but when I tried to reinstall I realized

>that I had lost the product / activation key code fromthe back of the disk

>pouch. How do I recover or find that code so I can complete the

>reinstallation.

 

Look for a sticker with the key on the back of your PC. If no luck

there, call the vendor.

--

Top 10 Conservative Idiots:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/top10

[choka]

Re: Windows XP reinstall problem

 

If your system still runs you can use special software to recover your Windows key. Most of them support some versions of Windows and some other Microsoft products. Also there is a products like "Recover Keys" ( Recover Lost Product Keys for Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Office, SQL, Exchange - CD-Key Retrieve - Overview ) that support all Windows versions and 300+ of other major software packages.