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Thread ID: 54217 2005-02-07 03:15:00 Windows XP serial number lazydog (148) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
322294 2005-06-08 10:43:00 Here's the sucker Im talking about:
support.microsoft.com

How to change the Volume Liscence Key on Windows XP for SP1 (Also applies to other releases)
Chilling_Silence (9)
322295 2005-06-08 13:05:00 Graham L hit the nail on the head - very accurately, in my case.
My 2nd hand computer pre-loaded with Win98SE was bought 2 years ago from a firm which specialises in ex-office machines.
I knew hardly anything about computers & certainly nothing about product keys, so being given a CD satisfied me that I was covered for accidents. I put it away "in a safe place."
I learned later I should have a key on the case, but was reassured by finding a 98SE number via Belarc Advisor (Didn't notice the asterisk signifying that "might" be the manufacturer's no, rather than a product key).
Late in March I had a major meltdown (long story) with so many missing files Windows wouldn't load. Family illness meant I couldn't hunt for that CD for weeks. And then, as I suspected, it wasn't a restore disk, merely drivers.
Now I don't know whether I'd have got any satisfaction from M/S or not in terms of replacing 98SE, but because the only no. I DID have was inaccessible inside the comp, I was kaput.
(Yes, I had told myself to make a note of it somewhere... tomorrow, maybe..)

So that's why this comes to you from XPHome.
It's been a hard-learned lesson.Take me as a warning...

(I do have my old hard drive in the box beside the new one & am now trying to find what is/isn't still there)
P.S. A friend says it was illegal of the firm to sell me a comp without a rescue system, but maybe there was an O/S backup I should've done myself..? Oops, guess that's a thread hijack.
Laura (43)
322296 2005-06-08 14:52:00 Just a minor point:

It's all very well to have the code on a file on the computer. You can use the file to print a few copies of the number to keep in safe places.

But think about when you will need the code? Will you be able to read a file on the disk when you need the code number.?It's like locking your keys in the car.

I keep the key with the disc.
Rob99 (151)
322297 2005-08-12 19:58:00 i have my windows xp serial number but no cd, as i bought my computer with the software already on it. and they just gave me a burnt version of xp. my serial is vaild and not pireated. but i just need the disc! bobbythewhale (7178)
322298 2005-08-12 23:44:00 if its not a brand name computer (which give recovery CD's rather than original CD's)... and they didnt supply you with a Windows CD thats illegal


i have my windows xp serial number but no cd, as i bought my computer with the software already on it. and they just gave me a burnt version of xp. my serial is vaild and not pireated. but i just need the disc!
That too is probably illegal if they didnt supply you with an original CD
bob_doe_nz (92)
322299 2005-08-13 00:20:00 I remember when I bought my comp from PC Company. It came with a restore disc and serial number attached to the side of the case. However when I made hardware changes and then went to reformat later, the disc was basically useless.
I got lucky at that time however... a guy I knew had a disc but no number. He sold me the disc on the provisio that if my number didn't work with it he would give me a full refund.
Yes, the number and the disc worked fine together :D. That was XP Home. Now I use Win XP Pro (as second O/S)
Myth (110)
322300 2005-12-08 19:39:00 Ok, does anyone know where in the registry you can find your windows cd key, instead of downlaoding a program to do it? thanks kismeras (7179)
322301 2005-12-08 19:50:00 Ok, does anyone know where in the registry you can find your windows cd key, instead of downlaoding a program to do it? thanks

Read this (www.experts-exchange.com) . It is encrypted, hence why you use software to "recover" it.
gibler (49)
322302 2005-12-08 19:56:00 Google is your friend :)

95,98,ME (pcsupport.about.com)

2000, XP is encypted, hence the need for magicaljellybean or suchlike

oh and welcome to PressF1
Myth (110)
322303 2005-12-09 00:58:00 Hahaha, your funny :annoyed:
Actually i'm a stay at home grandad looking after 3 under 5 year olds who have a tendacy to get there little fingers into everything.Touché grandad! :thumbs:
Greg (193)
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