obataining windows key from non loading drive 2

[electronicsfreak]

Ok, im working on a friends computer that had a crapload of viruses and spyware. To be honest, I removed about 600 total. Anyway having issues getting it to load, gives bsod everytime. So im thinking about doing a repair install. Well ive always did clean installs and never a repair install. So Im wondering, if I do a repair install will it ask for the key or will it automatically use the key thats on that system?

Also how do I go about retrieving the key on the system? All key finder programs im using are successful in bringing up my key to my windows but not the one on that drive. They did not put a sticker on the computer that has the serial. So I honestly do not know if the copy on it is legit or not since I cant get it to load lol.

So basically my main 2 question are, if I do a repair install will it ask for the key? Also is there any way of retrieving the key from the hard drive without loading from it. Example, I have the drive slaved in my computer and am trying to figure out how to retrieve the key from it so I can use it when I repair or reinstall it.

Thanks

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[xit]

If you use his disk, the one that initially installed the operating system, no problem, it will do a repair install, you may have to activate it with MS.

xit

 

[electronicsfreak]

ok Thanks!!!

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[allteltec]

If it is a retail install, It has all ways asked me for a key, some OEM's I have done repair installs with did not ask. You can use Bert Pe with the PeKeyfinder plugin to get the key on a none booting system.

 

[electronicsfreak]

I used bartpe but was unable to locate any keyfinding program on it. Where about can I find this program on bartpe?

Thanks

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[goombawaho]

You have to download a plugin for the BART PE CD, but I didn't have luck getting it to work for me. There are two plugins that are supposed to do the job. Try it and then report back as to which one your tried and if they worked (please).

http://www.bootcd.us/BartPE_Plugin_Details/262/Keyfinder-pe-Plugin.html

http://www.bootcd.us/BartPE_Plugin_Details/111/Keyfinder.html

 

[wolluf]

If you do a repair reinstall it WILL ask for the key - and of course the key must match the install disk you are using (eg, XP Pro OEM).

 

[electronicsfreak]

Well from what ive seen on the computer, I have a feeling its going to turn out not to be valid lol. Ill find out either way once I get the key and do a repair install. Where at can you find if the current installation is oem, retail, etc.. I remember somewhere there being a file for it but I dont remember where at.

Once again thanks to all of you. Also, goombawaho, I will report back what works or does not work soon as I have a chance to try that. Ill try and get to it tonight if I have time but we will see. Thanks a lot for the link

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[electronicsfreak]

Wolluf, you rock!! That program worked perfectly. Thank you so much. This will save me so much trouble with this repair and all future ones lol. Thanks a lot for that!!

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[electronicsfreak]

Well tested out the serial on a blank drive of mine loading around. Used my oem copy, installed it , put serial in it and it rejected it. So apparently its Retail and not oem, go figure lol.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[allteltec]

The last one I did I got the key with Bert Pe and install and it did not pass WGA so I googled the sn# and it was all over the net. Here is some info that is in setupp.ini that could help determine witch OS you have.

Here's a list of Product Codes. This is the first number of the Product ID.
55274 : XP Pro generic OEM or Volume License (VL is a special case of OEM)
55276 : XP Pro (upgrade)
55276 : XP Home (?) '
55277 : XP Home generic OEM
55285 : XP Pro '
55661 : XP Pro (retail)
76475 : XP Home (upgrade) (?)
76477 : XP Home Royalty OEM
76487 : XP Media Center Edition 2005
76487 : XP Pro Royalty OEM
76487 : XP Pro volume license (with '640' channel ID)
76500 : XP MCE 2005 (XP Pro with AD/GPO disabled)
76588 : XP Pro x64 OEM

The second number is Channel ID

000 : Other (includes some retail, upgrade and evaluation versions)
007 : Retail
009 : Not for resale - bundle
011 : XP Home Upgrade
OEM : OEM (This does not specify royalty or normal OEM)
270 : Volume License
296 : MSDN
308/347 : Microsoft Action Pack subscription
335 : Retail
640 through 648, 652 : Volume License (usually generated via 270 CID in setupp.ini)
699 : Volume Windows XP Tablet Edition
071 : Possible, but unknown. Possibly an SP2 integrated install of some variety.

I have read but never tried it but if you can save 3 files before reinstalling you don't have to reactivate.

LegitCheckControl.Dll
SETUPP.INI
wpa.dbl

 

[electronicsfreak]

Well I know what my cd is as I bought it. Its oem. However I need to know their installation. Ive already figured out theirs is not oem due to using a blank hard drive I had laying around, installed my oem on it and tried their key. Did not work. So im figuring it is most likely retail. Is there anyway of checking the actual install itself?

goombawaho, I have not forgot about that post yet. Just have not did that yet. I will do it eventually and ill let you know. Sorry for the wait.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[goombawaho]

So you've tried an OEM CD with your key code and it did not work?? Do you have access to a Retail CD??

Generally speaking, if it's a Microsoft Key Code sticker on the side of a manufacturer PC (Dell, Gateway, HP, etc.) it's going to be an OEM copy of Windows. Do you have a key code sticker (I guess not or you wouldn't be asking for a keyfinder program).

When you say "is there any way of checking the actual install" - I think you can get the actual key code (as you have done), but you can't really tell from the key code what type of XP license it is.

Maybe the best bet is to try another install on the spare hard drive using a retail CD and the key code you recovered.

 

[electronicsfreak]

I tried my oem cd with THEIR keycode and it did not work. My key works fine on the oem lol. Yeah im going to try using a retail cd as soon as I find someone who has one. This should be interesting lol.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[Rick998]

Try here:

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

I wasn't able to recover the Product Key from NTUSER.DAT as described in the article but the 'Troubleshooting' method worked perfectly and I was able to recover it from \%SystemRoot%\System32\config\software.

Hope this helps...

 

[electronicsfreak]

goombawaho, got the magical jelly bean keyfinder to work. The other one did not. Here is what I did.

First thing I tried which did not work, was just using the keyfinder on the first link. I put it in a folder with its files, told bartpe to include it when making the cd. Loaded up from bartpe, tried to run the keyfinder, and it threw up a .dll error. Said it was missing one.

My next step to kill a few birds with one stone, I took every .dll file out of system32 folder and put it in the same folder as the keyfinder. I also threw in magical jelly beans keyfinder in there as well. Then I had bartpe include that directory as I made the cd. Loaded up with the cd, tried the original keyfinder at first, acted like it was going to load for a split second, but never did anything.

So then I tried the jelly bean key finder, it threw an error, I hit ok and it opened up. I loaded the hive and was able to successfully get the information off the drive. It gave me the windows key as well as the office key.

You can probably get the program to work without all the .dll files but I have not tried yet. I probably will soon as I get more time. Sorry for the late reply. I just have been extremely busy lol. Either way , thats how you can get it to work.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon