Can I find it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Skip Davis
  • Start date Start date
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Skip Davis

Ok, here's what happened. I had been lost the case to my Windows Home XP cd,
but I had the serial number written down, so it didn't really make a
difference to me. Well last night my hardrive crashed, and now I can't find
that piece of paper with the numbers. Here's my question: Is the number on
the cd somewhere? I do have a laptop can can browse that cd to find the
number.
 
|>Ok, here's what happened. I had been lost the case to my Windows Home XP cd,
|>but I had the serial number written down, so it didn't really make a
|>difference to me. Well last night my hardrive crashed, and now I can't find
|>that piece of paper with the numbers. Here's my question: Is the number on
|>the cd somewhere? I do have a laptop can can browse that cd to find the
|>number.

Not sure about Laptops, but desktops usually have the serial number on
a sticker on the computer.
 
We'll lets hope the OP can recover the drive somehow... or contact Microsoft
for a new key...
 
Skip said:
Ok, here's what happened. I had been lost the case to my Windows Home XP cd,
but I had the serial number written down, so it didn't really make a
difference to me. Well last night my hardrive crashed, and now I can't find
that piece of paper with the numbers. Here's my question: Is the number on
the cd somewhere? I do have a laptop can can browse that cd to find the
number.
Click to expand...


The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a brightly colored
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.
The Product Key is not stored on the installation CD in any way, shape,
or form.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use Belarc Advisor
from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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 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

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