Getting windows serial key from existing install?

[Evil-I]

Hi All,

Annoying issue, about to do a re-install of a friends ailing toshiba laptop and the certificate of authenticity is completely illegible (top idea, lets stick the windows serial code for the laptop on the underneath where its never going to get any wear.....). Is there a way of reading off the existing installed windows key?

He also doesn't appear to have an appropriate windows disk (it's an equiem a100). So no idea if this is just a case of him losing it or whether toshiba provide some sort of recovery disk instead? It's running Vista Home premium 32bit, I do have an OEM copy hanging around here I purchased from OCUK a couple of years ago, so I'm hoping this disk will work okay with the Toshiba serial (if i can find that out of course....) and that it doesn't require some toshiba specific OEM install.

Any advice, suggestions appreciated,

E-I

 

[RJC]

Magic Jelly bean!

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

 

[d_brennen]

Magical jelly bean

Edit: beaten like the proverbial ginger step-child

 

[dk345]

Magical Jelly Bean

Edit - Beaten good and proper.

 

[Dano]

Unless it's been previosuly re-installed (using the key on the COA) the key recovered with Magic Jelly Bean will be useless. The thing should have a hidden recovery partition (check disk management) that it can be factory restored from.

 

[Reebro]

Using the hidden recovery partition usually on D: unless your friend has tampered with it as said above would be your easiest bet because it puts everything back to default with the drivers installed, simply do that then upgrade the drivers.