Product Key ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lou
  • Start date Start date
L

Lou

I tried to download a Microsoft program.
I was asked for a Product Key.
Windows XP came installed on my computer with no documentation except
instructions on how to install it.
I went back to the store where I purchased the computer (a reliable national
chain) and was told there was no documentation provided.
I tried to contact the m'f'gr. and was told I needed the serial number of my
computer, which I cannot find.
Can anyone tell me how I can obtain my Product Key?
 
Lou said:
I tried to download a Microsoft program.
I was asked for a Product Key.
Windows XP came installed on my computer with no documentation
except instructions on how to install it.
I went back to the store where I purchased the computer (a reliable
national chain) and was told there was no documentation provided.
I tried to contact the m'f'gr. and was told I needed the serial
number of my computer, which I cannot find.
Can anyone tell me how I can obtain my Product Key?
Click to expand...

If it is an OEM installation of WIndows XP - likely - then there should be a
sticker on your computer that has your CD Key on it for your Windows XP
Installation. Write this number down and store it safely away from your
computer.

There *has* to be a way to restore your computer to its purchased state (if
you bought it new with WIndows XP pre-installed) and those you bought it
from should be able to tell you the method for doing this. This is part of
their agreement with Microsoft. They must provide a way for you to restore
the system to it's purchased state.

You can get the cd key the system was installed with using a tool like
Belarc Advisor (http://www.belarc.com) or Magic Jellybean Keyfinder
(http://www.magicjellybean.com/keyfinder).

Most Microsoft websites that would ask you for such information legitimately
would have a way of grabbing that from your machine without asking you.
 
Lou said:
I tried to download a Microsoft program.
Click to expand...


What program?

Do you mean "download" or install"?

I was asked for a Product Key.
Click to expand...


If you were asked for a product key while installing a program, it's the
product key for that program that's wanted, not the one for Windows XP. The
product key should have come with or on the documentation or packaging of
that program.

Windows XP came installed on my computer with no documentation except
instructions on how to install it.
I went back to the store where I purchased the computer (a reliable
national chain) and was told there was no documentation provided.
I tried to contact the m'f'gr. and was told I needed the serial
number of my computer, which I cannot find.
Click to expand...


? What does the serial number of the computer have to do with any of the
above?


Can anyone tell me how I can obtain my Product Key?
Click to expand...


Although the Windows P product key probably has nothing to do with your
issue, you can find the Product key with any of these:



ViewKeyXP www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe (for Retail versions only,
and for pre-SP2 versions only)



AIDA32 http://www.aumha.org/freeware.htm



Everest http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1



Magical Jellybean www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml



Belarc Advisor www.belarc.com/free_download.html
 
Lou said:
I tried to download a Microsoft program.
Click to expand...

What Microsoft program did you try to download? You cannot download any MS
operating system from any legitimate site.
I was asked for a Product Key.
Click to expand...

Every Microsoft program requires its own product key. The product key for MS
Windows is different from the product key to MS Office. When you buy a
legitimate copy you are supplied with a legiimate product key. If you
downloaded it from a warez site then you are stuffed.
Windows XP came installed on my computer with no documentation except
instructions on how to install it.
I went back to the store where I purchased the computer (a reliable
national chain) and was told there was no documentation provided.
I tried to contact the m'f'gr. and was told I needed the serial number of
my computer, which I cannot find.
Can anyone tell me how I can obtain my Product Key?
Click to expand...

Buy one.
 
The manufacturer serial number sticker may be on the back panel or
underside.. it might also be quite small..
 
Ken Blake said:
What program? What difference does it make!

Do you mean "download" or install"?
Click to expand...
I said "download". That's what I meant.
If you were asked for a product key while installing a program, it's the
product key for that program that's wanted, not the one for Windows XP.
The product key should have come with or on the documentation or packaging
of that program.




? What does the serial number of the computer have to do with any of the
above?
Click to expand...
The manufacturer of my computer will not permit me to correspond with them
unless I provide the serial number of my comouter.
 
That's what happens when you "download" Microsoft programs from any place
other that Microsoft web sites. You are likely not to get the product key
you need to install the product. If you were to state the program someone
may be able to tell you what you must do to get a key (legally).

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
"What difference does it make!"
Quite a lot.

The answers to these question make it possible for you to get the answer you
need instead what we may think you need base on so little information.
 
Now we are starting to get somewhere.
Your original suggested one program:
"I tried to download a Microsoft program."

But if it is every program and they need a Product Key, you must be
downloading from MSDN, TechNet or one of the Microsoft Partner sites.

The solution is now easy, contact the support for whatever department
provides the downloads.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org
 
Lou

You should never be asked for a "product key" when downloading anything whether it's from Microsoft or any other legitimate website. The only time you are asked for a product key is if you are installing a program that requires such a key. Are you sure it isn't asking for a Product ID? The product id can be found by right clicking My Computer and selecting Properties. It is a long number under the "registered to" section.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User
 
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