Locating Vista Product Key

Wesker

I need to format a laptop but the number on the sticker has partly worn away.
I have downloaded a couple of progs that are supposed to find the number for you. They both find the same number but it doesnt match the partial number that is on the sticker.
The two progs i used are SIW and Windows Product Key Viewer.
Why are they showing a different number to the one on the sticker?

rmg1

Why are you formatting the laptop?
If it's really necessary, does it have a factory restore partition?

TakeThis

Make and model number of laptop?

It won't be the same Product Key, but that is not normally a problem.

As aforementioned, what about the Restore Partition?

Wesker

Hi, its a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo, Li2727 MS2228 i think.
We want to format because it has got really slow and sluggish.
I have got some rescue discs we made when we first got it, but will they actually format it or just repair over the top?
Would really like a clean install

boxst

This will do it for you:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

And if it shows a different number, then somewhere along the way a different version of windows has been installed ...

TakeThis

boxst wrote: »

This will do it for you:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

And if it shows a different number, then somewhere along the way a different version of windows has been installed ...

Nonsense..

TakeThis

Wesker wrote: »

Hi, its a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo, Li2727 MS2228 i think.
We want to format because it has got really slow and sluggish.
I have got some rescue discs we made when we first got it, but will they actually format it or just repair over the top?
Would really like a clean install

The Rescue Discs will do the Destructive Restore.

Wesker

Thanks, will give it a go later

TakeThis

You may not need the discs.

Press F8 on boot up, choose 'Advanced Menu Options' and then 'Repair Your Computer' > System Recovery Options > Fujitsu Siemens Computers Recovery..

boxst

TakeThis wrote: »

Nonsense..

Really? I didn't think that they were allowed to sell a volume licence key on non-company computers?

TakeThis

boxst wrote: »

Really? I didn't think that they were allowed to sell a volume licence key on non-company computers?

That's quite a leap, no one mentioned a Volume Licence.

It's an Royalty OEM licence. They are not the same as the Product Key on the sticker.

So the key the OP has retrieved will begin with 48382.... and certainly not match with what would be on the laptop.