How to retreat serial # from the opering system CD

[hu5]

Hi, I tried to reformat my laptop, but lost the original SERIAL # of the WinXP CD. Is there a way to retrieve serial # from my system ? Thanks.

 

[G0AOZ]

I tried to reformat my laptop...". So have you reformatted the drive or not?

Solving this will depend on your answer. If you still have the original installation which boots up, then installing something like Belarc Advisor (

http://belarc.com/free_download.html)

will give you the Product Key used in the original installation.

If you've already scrubbed the disk, then you'd have to run something like GetDataBck to unformat and retrieve the original installation. Then follow as in para above.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[BadBigBen]

1. License keys are usually found on the Hardware...

2. there are no keys what so ever on the install CD...

3. once you formated the HDD, you wiped out the information...

4. I know of no way to retrieve the key from the HDD, except through a data retrieval on the HDD and then fine combing the HIV files for the pertinent keys... which is way too much trouble than going out and buying a new license...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[linney]

Have a look underneath the Laptop for a sticky label with the Product Key, you might be lucky? Sometimes the Product Key is attached to the original packaging containing the XP CD.

Replacement of CD or Product Keys.

To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

326246 - How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH