pc crashed, so i re-installed windows. now can't find my product key ... any
way i can get it from my system having re-installed windows already (or can
i get it from microsoft??)

how did you reinstall w/o it (product key)???
" i can get it from my system having re-installed windows already "


--
Dennis S.
I''m from Illinois. I hope I helped you. Good Luck.


"A" wrote:

> pc crashed, so i re-installed windows. now can't find my product key ... any
> way i can get it from my system having re-installed windows already (or can
> i get it from microsoft??)
>
>
>

A wrote:
> pc crashed, so i re-installed windows. now can't find my product key ... any
> way i can get it from my system having re-installed windows already (or can
> i get it from microsoft??)
>
>


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." It is not on the installation CD
in any way, shape, or form. 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 Belarc
Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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...B;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer; 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

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

I had re-installed windows but had got to the point when it asked me for the
product key and i couldn't find the original certificate. however, it is an
oem factory installed version and the product key was on the pc case, typed
it in and it's working now, so many thanks. simple when you know how!!!
cheers
A.



"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:OwNqMDN6FHA.2524@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>A wrote:
>> pc crashed, so i re-installed windows. now can't find my product key ...
>> any way i can get it from my system having re-installed windows already
>> (or can i get it from microsoft??)
>
>
> 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." It is not on the installation CD
> in any way, shape, or form. 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 Belarc
> Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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...B;en-us;326246
>
> If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
> manufacturer; 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
>
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
> both at once. - RAH