Reformat, can't find my certificate of authenticity

sinkoman

sinkoman

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So, I haven't reformatted in a good few years, and my comp lately has been filled with all sorts of spyware and viruses and other delicious goodies (lol, prons), so I figured today i'd reformat the old girl.

Not to mention all the hardware i've fudged and replaced since then, without reformatting. FIgured I could get a good bit of performance back

Fire her up, kill the old disc partitions, make new ones, then install windows. Seemed like everything was going fine until it asked me for the authentication number.

Well, lucky me, I seem to have misplaced it sometime in the last 4 years or so that my machine has been running.

Oh, and it's an OEM copy btw, so I can't seem to find any support numbers on what little documentation there is.

Now what?
 
If it's OEM, try looking for a small sticker with the product key on it stuck to the side/back/bottom of whatever PC/Laptop your OEM version of WinXP came with. The sticker is also sometimes attached to a small 4x4 piece of either cardboard or cardstock with the WinXP logo on it.

If neither option works, you can try contacting Microsoft & if this is the first time you need a replacement product Key, they *may* send you a copy as long as you are able to prove that you are the original owner, via say a sales receipt or original registration of the OEM product or the PC/Laptop it came with with Microsoft. If this is not possible either, they will charge you a fee & simply send you a new Product Key since you already have the original *legal* CD or DVD.

Purchase new Product Key (WinXP CD-Key)
http://www.microsoft.com/products/info/editorial/22/promotions/wal/#pricing

There are also programs that you can download/buy/use that will display your product key.

For Example:
http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Video on how to find it for free if you have the WinXP CD/DVD/ISO:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1093247/how_to_find_windows_xp_cd_key_in_10_seconds/


-MRG
 
MRG said:
If it's OEM, try looking for a small sticker with the product key on it stuck to the side/back/bottom of whatever PC/Laptop your OEM version of WinXP came with. The sticker is also sometimes attached to a small 4x4 piece of either cardboard or cardstock with the WinXP logo on it.

If neither option works, you can try contacting Microsoft & if this is the first time you need a replacement product Key, they *may* send you a copy as long as you are able to prove that you are the original owner, via say a sales receipt or original registration of the OEM product or the PC/Laptop it came with with Microsoft. If this is not possible either, they will charge you a small fee & simply send you a new Product Key since you already have the original *legal* CD or DVD.



There are also programs that you can download/buy/use that will display your product key.

For Example:
http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/



-MRG
Click to expand...

Well, thing is, I made my PC a good while back, managed to get my hands on an OEM copy through a deal with my motherboard. So when I say I misplaced the product key, I mean it's ****ing GONE.

How small is this "small fee", and how do I get a hold of the bastards?
 
sinkoman said:
Well, thing is, I made my PC a good while back, managed to get my hands on an OEM copy through a deal with my motherboard. So when I say I misplaced the product key, I mean it's ****ing GONE.

How small is this "small fee", and how do I get a hold of the bastards?
Click to expand...

Actually, watch the video I just posted & it's totally free, provided you have the CD/DVD. If you have an image file, simply mount it with Daemon or whichever virtual drive program you use & then proceed to follow the steps in the video.

I have WinXP home & followed the video. It worked just fine for me.

Let me know if it works. I'll stay online for awhile & will check this post every few mins.

-MRG
 
MRG said:
Actually, watch the video I just posted & it's totally free, provided you have the CD/DVD. If you have an image file, simply mount it with Daemon or whichever virtual drive program you use & then proceed to follow the steps in the video.

I have WinXP home & followed the video. It worked just fine for me.

Let me know if it works. I'll stay online for awhile & will check this post every few mins.

-MRG
Click to expand...

Vid didn't help. Used another PC to get the info, wrote it all down, and tried it out. I keep getting told that the key is invalid. Just double checked, and yes, everything is all correct

By the way, I need the key to proceed with installation, not to verify an already working install.

EDIT: Wierd. I just noticed when I follow the instructions on the video you posted, the key in the unattend file is exactly the same as the key in the video.
 
sinkoman said:
Vid didn't help. Used another PC to get the info, wrote it all down, and tried it out. I keep getting told that the key is invalid. Just double checked, and yes, everything is all correct

By the way, I need the key to proceed with installation, not to verify an already working install.

I know. Thats why I had you try the video method. To obtain the CD Key. Try the other program I

EDIT: Wierd. I just noticed when I follow the instructions on the video you posted, the key in the unattend file is exactly the same as the key in the video.
Click to expand...

Odd. When I checked my CD, it matched the one on the WinXP booklet I have. Different than the one in the Video.

Did you try http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/?

How about: http://www.petri.co.il/quickly_retrieve_windows_cd_key.htm

This one too: http://www.petri.co.il/recover_lost_product_keys_for_windows_2000_xp_2003.htm

Edit:
Oh crap... I just realized that you need the cd-key, to continue... Doh! What a dummy I can be at times..

If you can't find the original CD-Key, you'll need to either buy a new boxed version of Windows at a local retail outlet or online or contact Microsoft directly to obtain a new Product Key.

Microsoft info about purchasing a new CD-Key:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823570

Sorry 'bout the useless links...

-MRG
 
The programs keep pulling the CD key for the copy of windows i'm posting this message from.

Any way to get them to pull it from the CD?
 
Unless I'm mistaken, the code can't be found on the CD itself. It's a manufacturing process that prints the code on the manual/box or wherever.

You can easily find windows keys on the internet if you know where to look.
 
Pesmerga said:
Unless I'm mistaken, the code can't be found on the CD itself. It's a manufacturing process that prints the code on the manual/box or wherever.

You can easily find windows keys on the internet if you know where to look.
Click to expand...

Hmm.. Doubly odd, as I managed to find my CD-Key on my CD. I do have a very old SP1 version of WinXP Home from 2000/2001. Perhaps that security feature was added at a later date? Or perhaps it's pulling the one from my PC & showing it on the screen that displays the info from the CD?

Interesting...

I may be mistaken, but it would appear you have come to a dead end. Call Microsofts toll free number & they will i'm sure be happy to offer help.

As for the suggestions to find a serial online, I do believe that is suggesting software piracy, a topic I thought to be taboo on these forums. Of course he could go "that" route, but I believe he wants to go the legal way, at least thats what we will all "believe" he wants to do. lol...

Microsofts # Directly from activation screen - USA - Toll free - 1-888-571-2048 - Toll - 1-716-871-2929

-MRG
 
I was suggesting he could purchase the appropriate Windows CD over an internet retailer.

Surely.
 
****ing great. I'm dead broke, but also not too keen on getting a key via less than legal means.

**** me
 
Pesmerga said:
I was suggesting he could purchase the appropriate Windows CD over an internet retailer.

Surely.
Click to expand...

I totally knew that was what you meant. *wink..wink.. nudge..nudge..* :p

-MRG
 
lol, silly legitimate customers always dealing with antipiracy measures.

Just download a version, you already own it so its legal. Maybe.
 
Krynn72 said:
lol, silly legitimate customers always dealing with antipiracy measures.

Just download a version, you already own it so its legal. Maybe.
Click to expand...

I don't feel like not getting updates.
 
K well, i'm still ****ed, still don't know what to do.

Other means haven't been working so well, and getting a hold of microsoft looks like it's going to be a bitch. The toll free number is ****ing horse shit, it's an automated bulldyke asking for all sorts of info to activate your PC, and I refuse to pay a toll just to ask a question, so i'm not calling the other one.

Idears?
 
Buy a new XP... It's at walmart for $50 now. Saw it yetherday.

Besides that, a fresh CD can't hurt, depending on what shape your is in, you might install faster. :eek: (The face is there because it's sarcastically making it seem like a big deal.)
 
Bitching about it is like bitching to Relic that you lost your Dawn of War CD because you were an idiot and a jackass.

We've already given you your options:

* somehow acquire a new serial
* buy another copy of XP
 
Pesmerga said:
Bitching about it is like bitching to Relic that you lost your Dawn of War CD because you were an idiot and a jackass.

We've already given you your options:

* somehow acquire a new serial
* buy another copy of XP
Click to expand...

Uh... I've got my DoW CD sitting in its box. I think you've got the wrong person D:
 
facepalm.jpeg
 
Okay so you've lost your serial key, it isn't on your case somewhere and you've already deleted your installation.
You refuse to buy XP again.
You refuse to call Microsoft.
You refuse to go illegitimate.

Your out of ****ing options.
 
I have a bunch of legit xp home keys sitting around I might be able to give you. But I want you to try this first. Go to any retailer that sells computers. Find a computer with XP home on it; hopefully there are still some left. Go to the back of the computer and write down the product key on the sticker. Plug that number in to your installation and you should be golden as all these keys are OEM and should all work. If you can't find a retailer that still has XP home computers find a friend that has one.
 
Looks like it's time for you to upgrade. Buy some new RAM, and Vista Home Premium.

You could find a data recovery program, plug your HDD into another PC as a slave drive (or load the program on a CD and boot to it) and run the program to recover most or nearly all of the data on the HDD. The data would probably not be fully intact enough for you to be able to start Windows from it anymore though.

With the data recovered and your HDD plugged in as a slave drive in another PC, you can use a registry file viewer to view the original registry file backups (http://www.easydesksoftware.com/regfiles.htm) with a program like this (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rfv.html) or you can use the keyfinder program posted above. If the registry files are still intact enough...
 
No Limit said:
I have a bunch of legit xp home keys sitting around I might be able to give you. But I want you to try this first. Go to any retailer that sells computers. Find a computer with XP home on it; hopefully there are still some left. Go to the back of the computer and write down the product key on the sticker. Plug that number in to your installation and you should be golden as all these keys are OEM and should all work. If you can't find a retailer that still has XP home computers find a friend that has one.
Click to expand...

So, in other words; Go and steal product key from a nearby store. Brilliant.
 
They are used on display computers, you arent screwing a customer out of a key. Dont see the issue there
 
im trying to re-image my laptop to xp but for the life of me I cannot get hold of a disc...i ave a serial number
 
Barney Fife said:
So, in other words; Go and steal product key from a nearby store. Brilliant.
Click to expand...

No, go and "borrow" a product key. Okay steal it, who cares. If they didn't want those keys stolen they wouldn't leave them out in the open like that. :) Besides, the person that ends up buying the computer is not screwed over; they still own the OEM license. According to the OEM license the computer where the original copy is installed on is the only place it can be installed on; so they won't have any license issues (though he might).

You're telling me the Magic Jellybean program didn't work?
Click to expand...
The problem is he already deleted all the data on his hard drive, so tha program won't work as he can't boot in to the operating system.
 
Tyguy said:
im trying to re-image my laptop to xp but for the life of me I cannot get hold of a disc...i ave a serial number
Click to expand...

You should be able to get the ISO off any torrent site. However, you will have to know if your key is OEM or if it's retail then get the matching installation disk.
 
i guess im going to have to, nobody seems to have these frigggin disks
 
Tyguy said:
i guess im going to have to, nobody seems to have these frigggin disks
Click to expand...

What key do you have, OEM or retail? If it's OEM I might be able to create an ISO for you using one of my disks so you don't have to worry about torrent sites.
 
well, i have an acer aspire...i have reformatted with a disk from work before with no trouble so im assuming it's OEM.

If you could do that for me id probably tongue kiss you....or shake your hand....either way
 
I'd rather have the tounge kiss. It's the home edition right? I'll see if I can upload it for you tonight. However, if it's a newer acer a lot of them put a recovery partition on there and don't offer you with an OS disk which could explain why you don't have one.
 
I'm fairly certain it will work, i have reformatted this laptop many times with an XP cd from work, nothing by acer...
 
No Limit said:
No, go and "borrow" a product key. Okay steal it, who cares. If they didn't want those keys stolen they wouldn't leave them out in the open like that. :) Besides, the person that ends up buying the computer is not screwed over; they still own the OEM license. According to the OEM license the computer where the original copy is installed on is the only place it can be installed on; so they won't have any license issues (though he might).
Click to expand...

Before going over there "Wasting your time," you do know those keys are already registered with MS, Right? Therefore useless? Of course you do. :rolleyes:

Besides, stealing is never cool.
 
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