Lost serial number

Pobby

Using a genuine copy of XP,I have managed to loose the serial number.If I need to reinstall what can I do?Thanks.

superscaper

http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

John_Gray

Most (all?) manufacturers stick a hologram label somewhere on the outside of the case which has the 'real' Windows XP product key, for those instances where Windows XP is preinstalled.

Programs like Nir Soft's ProduKey and Belarc Advisor often pull out the product key which was used by the manufacturer to install Windows XP on all their PCs -- so (for example) all Dells (and Eveshams, in my experience) of about the same age will seem to have the same product key... This manufacturer's product key cannot be used to reinstall Windows.

John

PS Just read the Magical Jelly Bean info on this:
Q: Why doesn't the product key returned match the one on my sticker?
A: If you purchased your PC with Windows already installed from a large manufacturer such as Dell or HP, it's likely that Windows was installed using an OEM key instead of the actual key for your PC. This saves them (and you) money because it's much more efficient for these large companies to install Windows once and then clone the drive.