Help Finding Microsoft Product key number

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hank
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Hank

Have a friend who recently had a major PC crash. Of course like most
people he had no backup system. Have been able to get the computer up
and running again with WindowsXP installed by a total re-format and
install. He has the CD for Microsoft Works that includes Microsoft
Word which he uses. However when he tried to re-install the product it
requested the product key to continue. I told him the key is on the
back of the case holding the CD. He said the case had no labels on it.
I said did it come in a paper folder with the computer. He said maybe
but he does not have it now. I think I have heard of being able to
look up the product key from the registry entry BUT can you determine
the product key from the original CD?????
Product came in a bundle from DELL with the computer and there was no
specific purchase order or record of the software so contacting
Microsoft probably not possible. Any ideas how to use this CD or get
the code?

TIA

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
 
Hank said:
Have a friend who recently had a major PC crash. Of course like most
people he had no backup system. Have been able to get the computer up
and running again with WindowsXP installed by a total re-format and
install. He has the CD for Microsoft Works that includes Microsoft
Word which he uses. However when he tried to re-install the product it
requested the product key to continue. I told him the key is on the
back of the case holding the CD. He said the case had no labels on it.
I said did it come in a paper folder with the computer. He said maybe
but he does not have it now. I think I have heard of being able to
look up the product key from the registry entry BUT can you determine
the product key from the original CD?????
Product came in a bundle from DELL with the computer and there was no
specific purchase order or record of the software so contacting
Microsoft probably not possible. Any ideas how to use this CD or get
the code?

TIA

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
Click to expand...

If the friend doesn't have the documentation that came with the computer he
may be able to go back to the computer manufacturer (Dell) and beg for a
replacement Works Suite key. I would doubt that he will have any luck
unless the computer is still under warranty. Dell normally won't replace
keys once the warranty runs out.
 
Thanks for responding. Of course the computer is out of warantee.
Hoped some one knew how to get information from CD but guess that it
is coded in to prevent this for obvious reasons. Maybe I need to point
him to a open source product like in Linux.
If the friend doesn't have the documentation that came with the computer he
may be able to go back to the computer manufacturer (Dell) and beg for a
replacement Works Suite key. I would doubt that he will have any luck
unless the computer is still under warranty. Dell normally won't replace
keys once the warranty runs out.
Click to expand...

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
 
Hank said:
Have a friend who recently had a major PC crash. Of course like most
people he had no backup system. Have been able to get the computer up
and running again with WindowsXP installed by a total re-format and
install. He has the CD for Microsoft Works that includes Microsoft
Word which he uses. However when he tried to re-install the product it
requested the product key to continue. I told him the key is on the
back of the case holding the CD. He said the case had no labels on it.
I said did it come in a paper folder with the computer. He said maybe
but he does not have it now. I think I have heard of being able to
look up the product key from the registry entry BUT can you determine
the product key from the original CD?????
Product came in a bundle from DELL with the computer and there was no
specific purchase order or record of the software so contacting
Microsoft probably not possible. Any ideas how to use this CD or get
the code?

TIA

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
Click to expand...

What media did you use to reformat and reinstall, Dell Restore disk(s),
hidden Dell Restore partition or another type of OS installion disk? AFAIK
restoring by one of Dells methods restores the Dell installed OS and
software to the point when it left the manufacturer. Even though the Works
disk may be provided with the system, It's my understanding, which may be
astray, that if the manufacturer installed it then it should be reinstalled
during the restore and a ProductKey is not needed.

If a ProductKey is required and it's AWOL, the only possible chance you
have in obtaining one is by contacting either Dell or MS, one can not be
obtained/retrieved from the installation disk.

From a Dell Doc:
Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals
Dell-installed software includes the operating system and some of the
software programs that are installed on the computer during the
manufacturing process (Microsoft® Office, Norton Antivirus, etc.).
Dell-installed peripherals include any internal expansion cards, or
Dell-branded module bay or PC Card accessories. In addition, any
Dell-branded monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, microphones for telephonic
modems, docking stations/port replicators, networking products, and all
associated cabling are included.

Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals
Third-party software and peripherals include any peripheral, accessory, or
software program sold by Dell not under the Dell brand (printers, scanners,
cameras, games, etc.). Support for all third-party software and peripherals
is provided by the original manufacturer of the product.


--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
Hank said:
Thanks for responding. Of course the computer is out of warantee.
Hoped some one knew how to get information from CD but guess that it
is coded in to prevent this for obvious reasons. Maybe I need to point
him to a open source product like in Linux.


email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
Click to expand...

The key is not on the installation CD in any way shape or form.

Open Office from www.openoffice.org is a relatively robust clone of Word,
Excel and PowerPoint that is free. Your friend would need to change the
default save file types from the Open Office formats to .doc, .xls & .ppt
for those programs and can be done fairly easily.
 
Hank said:
Have a friend who recently had a major PC crash. Of course like most
people he had no backup system. Have been able to get the computer up
and running again with WindowsXP installed by a total re-format and
install. He has the CD for Microsoft Works that includes Microsoft
Word which he uses. However when he tried to re-install the product it
requested the product key to continue. I told him the key is on the
back of the case holding the CD. He said the case had no labels on it.
I said did it come in a paper folder with the computer. He said maybe
but he does not have it now. I think I have heard of being able to
look up the product key from the registry entry BUT can you determine
the product key from the original CD?????
Product came in a bundle from DELL with the computer and there was no
specific purchase order or record of the software so contacting
Microsoft probably not possible. Any ideas how to use this CD or get
the code?

TIA

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
Click to expand...

you might try "Belarc" get it via google. It should give you all your
registry keys.
 
What media did you use to reformat and reinstall, Dell Restore disk(s),
hidden Dell Restore partition or another type of OS installion disk? AFAIK
restoring by one of Dells methods restores the Dell installed OS and
software to the point when it left the manufacturer. Even though the Works
disk may be provided with the system, It's my understanding, which may be
astray, that if the manufacturer installed it then it should be reinstalled
during the restore and a ProductKey is not needed.
Click to expand...
Well at first tried to just do a repair windows install to minimize
the amount of pictures etc loss because he had no backup. Problems
with the Windows recovery disk sent by DELL (they loaded wrong one).
To make a long story short in the process system jammed up completely
and only a full re-install of windows could unjam it. In the process
the hidden DELL partion disappeared.
If a ProductKey is required and it's AWOL, the only possible chance you
have in obtaining one is by contacting either Dell or MS, one can not be
obtained/retrieved from the installation disk.
Click to expand...

I thought so but thought I would ask to be sure.


email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
 
Thanks for the tip. I had thought about open office but did not know
about changing default change. Important for George who would not
think to change the Saved As each time.

Thanks
The key is not on the installation CD in any way shape or form.

Open Office from www.openoffice.org is a relatively robust clone of Word,
Excel and PowerPoint that is free. Your friend would need to change the
default save file types from the Open Office formats to .doc, .xls & .ppt
for those programs and can be done fairly easily.
Click to expand...

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank
 
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