Windows Product Key

bob_man_uk

Gerrard_8_lfc wrote: »

I have neither now so I guess I will need to buy one. Cheers for you help guys

does anyone read previous posts or is it a case of tl;dr

JasX

santer wrote: »

1. Answer whatever questions that are asked of you. The Microsoft representative may ask for specific details about your Windows installation disc, like the numbers around the inner circle of the CD/DVD and details about what words or images that may or may not be on the disc.
   Microsoft asks these questions to help verify that the installation disc you have is not pirated.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/osproductkeys/ht/windows-product-key-replacement.htm

Yes, they will relate to the version of the windows install disk you have, (eg Retail vs OEM, country of origin etc) it will absolutely NOT contain any individual information relevant to the license key number on the sticker OP needs.

JasX

bob_man_uk wrote: »

does anyone read previous posts or is it a case of tl;dr

well I see it as worth posting

1- when someone comes along quoting utter rubbish as fact so far from the truth its likely to misslead/confuse others and needs correcting.

2- If the barcode on the sticker is intact and OP is able to recover their key from that it'll negate the need to buy another windows license -the disks / disk image is fairly readily/cheaply obtainable, as ever its the license key/sticker thats the important/expensive bit.

3-if the OP is still around worth suggesting they get a RETAIL edition with ttransferrable license they can re-use on another machine or legally sell on on ebay when they eventually scrap the laptop and are no longer using it.

DatabaseError

Which version of windows is it? I have a couple of ununsed keys...no promises that I'll have the one you need spare, but if I do then they're worth a try.

santer_2

JasX wrote: »

Yes, they will relate to the version of the windows install disk you have, (eg Retail vs OEM, country of origin etc) it will absolutely NOT contain any individual information relevant to the license key number on the sticker OP needs.

1. Answer whatever questions that are asked of you. The Microsoft representative may ask for specific details about your Windows installation disc, like the numbers around the inner circle of the CD/DVD and details about what words or images that may or may not be on the disc.
   Microsoft asks these questions to help verify that the installation disc you have is not pirated.
2. Microsoft will take your credit card information after verifying that your installation media is genuine.
   This new Windows product key should cost you $10USD.
3. The Microsoft representative will then read you your new product key and ask that you enter it into the activation window to be sure it creates a new installation code.
4. He or she will then transfer you to the telephone-based activation center to complete the Windows activation process.

JasX

santer wrote: »

1. Microsoft will take your credit card information after verifying that your installation media is genuine.
   This new Windows product key should cost you $10USD.
2. The Microsoft representative will then read you your new product key and ask that you enter it into the activation window to be sure it creates a new installation code.

yes santer, what is happening here is is microsoft is selling you a NEW key and take information about your install disk to make sure the NEW license they issue with is compatible with the version of the install disk you have (OEM vs RETAIL, country/regional code etc etc) you are purchasing a new license key from them, they are not 'getting it from the disk' or giving you the number you rubbed off your sticker

Must all seem terribly complicated for you :T

santer_2

For the sake of £5 approx I'd say that's a good deal, besides which they have a policy of replacing lost software

Not sure what the problem is with the charge which is appropriately administrative

Anyway, you have it your way, if I lose any of their software or keys, I know how to rectify it, in an uncomplcated way of course

DatabaseError

santer wrote: »

if I lose any of their software or keys, I know how to rectify it, in an uncomplcated way of course

I email myself all product keys, so even if i lose the originals I have a copy available online.

santer_2

That's a neat solution

bob_man_uk

Santer,

I was replying to the person above me who clearly hadnt read the fact the OP had NO documentation or Disk that originally came with the machine, but my point still stands, I never said it wasnt useful or helpful to the OP and in future im sure this experience will persuade the OP to take a copy of the key elsewhere "just in case" but the info you provided whilst useful in other situations, doesn help one iota in this instance and so i would say may be worth of a post itself, that way anyone who searches the forums will find the info in its own post, instead of being hidden in a lot of other information.

That being said, Gerrard, did you manage to get a key off of the site i linked?