Lost product Key

  • Thread starter Thread starter Francisco Giner
  • Start date Start date
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Francisco Giner

I have Windows 2000 professional which came with a
notebook purchased from gateway. The technical support
has since expired and gateway will not provide any. I
have the CD's but I am unble to reinstall due to the lack
of the product key.

How can I obtain a new product key?


Sincerely,


Francisco Giner
 
I have Windows 2000 professional which came with a
notebook purchased from gateway. The technical support
has since expired and gateway will not provide any. I
have the CD's but I am unble to reinstall due to the lack
of the product key.

How can I obtain a new product key?
Click to expand...

Almost every PC shipped from the top 5 comes with a MS Sticker stuck on
the PC/Laptop - the Key is on that sticker. It should also be on the
Manual/CD cover that shipped with the unit.
 
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 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

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