I lost my Windows XP Product Key

[Stigmata]

Is there any way to retrieve it from the disc? It's a legit copy of XP Home OEM, had it since about August 2006.

 

[No Limit]

If its OEM the key will be on the back of your computer. If you installed it on a computer other than what it came on you are breaking the agreement. There is no way to pull it off a disk as the disks are generic.

Do you still have access to the computer where it is installed? There isa program that will let you pull off the product key but you would obviously need to be logged in to windows.

If you have no hope for getting the original key PM me and I'll see if I can help you out. I got a bunch of old OEM keys lying around that I'm not using. You will have to activate them but they are legit (legit as in legal, again you are breaking their license if installing an OEM version on a computer other than it came with but it sounds like you were doing that already anyway).

 

[Stigmata]

OEM as in I bought the copy of XP with all my computer parts for a new system build, installed it and reformatted several times over the years on the same computer. Now I lost the key i.e. the manual with the key sticker on the back. I technically have access to the computer, in the sense that it's here and will turn on, but it won't let me log in - I need to do a phone activation as my 30 days ran out on Friday (because I had to replace my motherboard over the holidays, and thus couldn't e-activate due to the key being OEM).

I think I may have to take you up on your offer.

 

[VirusType2]

Can't you plug it into the internet then turn it on so it can activate itself during boot-up?

 

[Stigmata]

It can't activate. Like I said, new motherboard, so by OEM rules it's a new computer, which means my license isn't valid anymore

 

[No Limit]

You just have to tell them when you activate by phone that you didn't replace the mobo and they will activate it, but again, you are technically breaking the license. I don't think microsoft will ever come after you but if FBI ever raids your place you didn't hear it from me .

The site isn't loading for me at the moment for some reason but you can use this program to get your key:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

If you cant load regular windows try booting in safe mode, I think it will let you even if its not activated after 30 days (not really sure about this to be honest).

If for some reason that doesn't work for you let me know and I'll send you one of my old OEM XP Home keys.

 

[Stigmata]

Alright time to make a phone call.

[edit] Nothing is working. I think I'm gonna need that key...

 

[CyberPitz]

Go buy Windows 7

*EDIT* Isn't the key somewhere in the registry?

*EDIT2* check here?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

The number is listed under ProductId

 

[No Limit]

The productID and the license key are different things. Though thats what that jellybean software does.

When you say its not working what do you mean exactly? I'll pm you a OEM key shortly.

 

[BakonGuy]

You can log into windows safe made in the command prompt one. I haven't done that in a while, but I know it'll let you in. No net access tho. So if you can get that key finder program on a flash drive and run in in command prompt mode you should be good.

EDIT: yea just boot it to "Windows XP Safe Mode with Command Prompt", if there's no start menu then you can type "explorer" into the cmd prompt. Then just run the windows key finder. I used one called magical jelly bean or something similar. Hope I helped

 

[giant384]

umm even the oem cds have a cd key though....how can he find the cd key if one was never inputed? He said he lost it, the 30 day trail period ended, which assumes he didn't enter the key in and activate it. You will need to buy a new copy of windows.

Using that software wont get him anything, there is nothing to find with it.

 

[No Limit]

umm even the oem cds have a cd key though....how can he find the cd key if one was never inputed? He said he lost it, the 30 day trail period ended, which assumes he didn't enter the key in and activate it. You will need to buy a new copy of windows.

Using that software wont get him anything, there is nothing to find with it.

He changed the motherboard which is why its asking him for activation, atleast thats what Im getting from it.

 

[giant384]

He changed the motherboard which is why its asking him for activation, at least thats what Im getting from it.

So he installed a new motherboard, didnt format the hard drive?

Im surprised it would even boot up to windows. Usually different chipsets will give an error at boot.

 

[No Limit]

So he installed a new motherboard, didnt format the hard drive?

Im surprised it would even boot up to windows. Usually different chipsets will give an error at boot.

A lot of time if you have the same processor you can get away with it. Happened last week at work on a server. Motherboard crapped out so I was able to take the HD in to another computer with a similar P4 processor but different mobo and it actually worked perfectly after the drivers were installed. I did also have to reactivate but it did it automatically since the server installation wasn't OEM.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Interesting read on this issue. I have the reverse problem for my mother's work PC. She doesn't have the Windows XP Pro CD / DVD but has the product code on the back of the tower. No recovery partition or image file on HDD. Any idea how I could format this PC?

To complicate things further, it has Office 2003 on it. Have the product key - but no DVD again.

 

[Stigmata]

OK here's the real story:

I bought a new motherboard when my old one crapped out (beginning of Christmas holidays). Windows booted, and then immediately bluescreened and hard-crashed, so I had no choice but to reinstall. After searching through all sorts of papers and drawers I found my original key scrawled onto a piece of paper, so I reformatted and used the key which, at this point, was no longer valid since my new motherboard counted as a new computer. Windows installs, but I can't activate. I save the CD key in a notepad file on my desktop. I go to Toronto, the Windows activation runs out four days before I move back to London, and then I realise I can't get to my only record of my CD key since it's on the desktop, so I reformat.

tl;dr I'm kind of an idiot

 

[No Limit]

You can download the ISO off a torrent site or similar. If you are worried about that I can upload a XP pro iso for you, I just dont know how soon I could get to it. I might have a office 2003 cd too if you give me the version.

 

[No Limit]

OK here's the real story:

I bought a new motherboard when my old one crapped out (beginning of Christmas holidays). Windows booted, and then immediately bluescreened and hard-crashed, so I had no choice but to reinstall. After searching through all sorts of papers and drawers I found my original key scrawled onto a piece of paper, so I reformatted and used the key which, at this point, was no longer valid since my new motherboard counted as a new computer. Windows installs, but I can't activate. I save the CD key in a notepad file on my desktop. I go to Toronto, the Windows activation runs out four days before I move back to London, and then I realise I can't get to my only record of my CD key since it's on the desktop, so I reformat.

tl;dr I'm kind of an idiot

Like I told you in PM (sorry, realized my inbox was full) you should be able to activate, if not tell me what specific problems you have.

 

[BakonGuy]

Interesting read on this issue. I have the reverse problem for my mother's work PC. She doesn't have the Windows XP Pro CD / DVD but has the product code on the back of the tower. No recovery partition or image file on HDD. Any idea how I could format this PC?

To complicate things further, it has Office 2003 on it. Have the product key - but no DVD again.

Couldn't you torrent a copy of windows? Correct me if I'm wrong but it wouldn't be considered piracy if you have a legit CD key? You'd have to find out if you have the retail version or whatever other versions there are though I'm guessing. If this would be still considered piracy though completely disregard my post


EDIT: I wrote this before I realized no limit said the same. sorry.

 

[giant384]

you must have wrote the cd key down incorrectlly or mistaken a letter or number for something else.

as far as i know, ive never had a key that only works on one piece of hardware.