need some help recovering serial key??

[Pseudonym]

Well, the home pc died as some as i left to go back to uni. Came back for the week end to try and fix it, but am not having much luck.

Basically, it wouldn't boot. did all the usual things, but it is kaput.

Decided it would be easier to reinstall windows, but the serial key is nowhere to be found.

Have installed a less than legal copy on a different drive, lookeing through the old one, i can see that all the programs and documents are still there, but, the windows folder is empty.

Is there any way to recover the legit serial from the old install?

Cheers

 

[macgamesrule]

If it's XP then this might work:

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

If you have Vista then you may want to try this instead:

http://www.dagondesign.com/articles/windows-xp-product-key-recovery/

Google is excellent for these types of things.

 

[Pseudonym]

Thank you sir, i did try google, but couldn't find anything useful. This looked like it might do it, but, i can't seem to get it to work.

 

[nrage]

That 2nd link looks like just the ticket. How far did you get, which part isn't working?

 

[DavidT]

Here, use this application: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/beta/

It's what I use, IMO it's the best one. Simply run it (Make sure to run it as an Administrator or it won't work), go to Tools > Load Hive and point it to the Windows directory of the installation that you want to get the key from (Ie. "C:\WINDOWS"), and then click OK. Your key should now appear in the main window

If you bought your PC from retail store, you should have a sticker with your key printed on it stuck somewhere on your computer, or somewhere on the documentation that came with it. If not, personally I would go back to where you bought it and ask for a key and certificate of authenticity (If they say no, say you'll report them to the Microsoft Piracy department for issuing illegal, non-genuine, copies of Windows).

 

[Rastalovich]

Anybody think of a good reason why microsoft can`t put the serial key for display within the System Porperties->General window ? Maybe in the Registered to: section ?

 

[Toxcity]

Anybody think of a good reason why microsoft can`t put the serial key for display within the System Porperties->General window ? Maybe in the Registered to: section ?

Now that is a good idea!

 

[Lord Ward]

try magicjellybean or something like that

LW

 

[Lord Ward]

Anybody think of a good reason why microsoft can`t put the serial key for display within the System Porperties->General window ? Maybe in the Registered to: section ?

That would be too logical for Micro

LW

 

[DavidT]

Anybody think of a good reason why microsoft can`t put the serial key for display within the System Porperties->General window ? Maybe in the Registered to: section ?

Now that is a good idea!

That would be too logical for Micro

LW

Actually, it wouldn't be so smart if they did that because then anyone could see anyone's key. People would be stealing the keys off of display computer in stores and such, and would be getting them selves free licenses.

try magicjellybean or something like that

LW

Already said that, look up a few posts

 

[Toxcity]

Actually, it wouldn't be so smart if they did that because then anyone could see anyone's key. People would be stealing the keys off of display computer in stores and such, and would be getting them selves free licenses.

Buuut, go to my old school.. and you will find the serials stuck on the sides of the PCs..

 

[DavidT]

Buuut, go to my old school.. and you will find the serials stuck on the sides of the PCs..

Yeah, my school is the same way, but that's lazy tech admins for you!

 

[Pseudonym]

cool, cheers for the help. Back down in pompey now, so i'll have to teach mum how to use it, or connect remotely...

The magic-bean app looks like the thing for me. Although i'm still a bit worried because the windows directory on the broken OS was empty. Cross that bridge if we get to it.

-edit- The PC was given free to mum by her old job, was made by a guy who lives near us. If this doesn't work we'll give him a ring.

Cheers

 

[Rastalovich]

Actually, it wouldn't be so smart if they did that because then anyone could see anyone's key. People would be stealing the keys off of display computer in stores and such, and would be getting them selves free licenses.

Already said that, look up a few posts

Meh, just like Tox, u look at the case and u can read the number.

Last oem XP docs I read asked u to stick it on.

Sooo hiding it with 284874 bit encryption is pretty silly.