Cannot read Windows Product key

GRiDlock

GRiDlock

GRiDlock

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18 Oct 2002
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Trying to help my niece with her laptop that has a failed hdd after 18 months. I've replaced the HDD and reinstalled Windows Vista Home Premium from her disks. Everything is running fine but the Windows Product sticker underneath the laptop has been worn away and is only partially readable.

Has anyone experience of this situation. Should I speak to Microsoft or Toshiba to get the code ?

Thanks
 
A bit late now, but why did you not check before nuking that you had the product key? :p

I would try Toshiba first and explain what has happened. Though I wouldn't hold my breath! Have you tried Toshiba's recovery discs that would have come with the laptop? My Toshiba is of a similar age and has [*cough* had] a recovery partition. Though if memory serves you may have needed to burn your own discs.. which I bet no one did! :p
 
It's worst case - No recovery discs and the HDD will not boot, not even safe mode. Guess i need to find a phone number for Toshiba support.
 
with xp there were util to extract the reg key from the registry (ie the files that are the registry so windows did not need to be working) probably worth takling al ook to see if there are any for vista
 
maybe google something along the lines of "retrieving windows vista product key" but i guess would only work if you still have the origina hdd and it can be accessed (eg connect it via usb.
 
I woul have thought toshiba wil have a record of your windows key from the laptop serial number. could be wrong
 
There are ways to get the key however only if it was the original HDD with the OS on it. Since you nuked it with a new HDD - that option is no go.

I think your best bet is Toshiba.
 
Yeh, but does he still have it. If so plug it into another pc and extract the key, unless the drive is completely dead it'll be the easiest option.
 
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