Re-installing Windows w/ Genuine Advantage Kit CD

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beaton_live

I originally bought my PC with a copy of windows installed which turned out
not to be authentic. I remedied this by purchasing a GAK Cd from Microsoft.
Now this was at least 5 years ago so I don't recall what happened when it
came time to enter a key for the new copy.

This is an issue now because I am finally upgrading my system and will be
putting in a new HD which requires a new install of windows.

So my question is: when it comes time to install windows and enter the key,
what do I do? The CD I received doesn't have one on the disk or case. Is
there one already on the CD?

Thanks very much for your time.
 
I originally bought my PC with a copy of windows installed which turned out
not to be authentic. I remedied this by purchasing a GAK Cd from Microsoft.
Now this was at least 5 years ago so I don't recall what happened when it
came time to enter a key for the new copy.

This is an issue now because I am finally upgrading my system and will be
putting in a new HD which requires a new install of windows.
Click to expand...


Replacing your disk drive does *not* require a new installation of
Windows, and the new installation should be avoided because it's a lot
of work, and all sorts of problems can result. Simply copy the old
drive to the new one, using an appropriate utility to do this; your
new drive will almost certainly come with such a utility, or else one
will be available for free download on the drive manufacturer's web
site.


So my question is: when it comes time to install windows and enter the key,
what do I do? The CD I received doesn't have one on the disk or case. Is
there one already on the CD?
Click to expand...


No, CDs do not have the product key on them. But the key is available
on your computer. 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)

ProduKey http://nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

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

And I *strongly* recommend that you use one of the above and keep a
written record of what the key is, even if you take my advice not to
reinstall Windows.
 
I guess I wasn't 100% clear in my original post. I'm swapping out my MB,
processor, ram and video card so I do need to format the HD.

Thanks for the replies. They were very helpful.
 
I guess I wasn't 100% clear in my original post. I'm swapping out my MB,
processor, ram and video card so I do need to format the HD.
Click to expand...


Sorry, but that's not correct. There are three possibilities:

1. If the new motherboard is identical to the old one, you should have
to do nothing.

2. If the motherboard is different, you should be able to just do a
repair installation (*much* faster and easier than a format and
reinstall). This is the situation about 99% of the time.

3. Very rarely, but occasionally, the new motherboard is different
enough that a repair installation isn't sufficient, and you have to do
a format and reinstall.

You should certainly at least try number 2 before doing number 3
(which is unlikely to be needed).
 
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