Help Windows KEY

Lolcb · 5 May 2007 at 21:55

Hi, I bought an OEM windows xp home ages ago, now I lost the sticker that consist the 16 digit unique keys.

I take it that I have to purchase a new one, and atm I really need this OS installed, and I know that you can buy the key off MS. Can someone show me the URL please?

unknowndomain · 5 May 2007 at 22:22

If you ask microsoft they might help you and send you a new sticker. There are also programs which can recover the serial number on your computer when you loose it like I did lol! The label fell off and got lost. That was when the label was stuck to a big manual though!

gareth170 · 5 May 2007 at 22:35

unknowndomain said:
There are also programs which can recover the serial number on your computer when you loose it like I did lol!

but surely that'll only work if he still as windows installed...

unknowndomain · 5 May 2007 at 22:43

I miss read I assumed it was installed and he was trying to reinstall, typical old windows installs and formats before asking for a serial number.

AndySooooN · 6 May 2007 at 00:18

Just use some1 elses key, then when it says its already in use, ring microsoft and get a new 1. Not like your lieing or anything cos you do actually have a legal version of xp.

Jaffa_Cake · 6 May 2007 at 00:23

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html

gareth170 · 6 May 2007 at 00:43

AndySooooN said:
Just use some1 elses key, then when it says its already in use, ring microsoft and get a new 1. Not like your lieing or anything cos you do actually have a legal version of xp.

but thats breaking the license. because his product key links to his license..

Lolcb · 6 May 2007 at 01:52

Jaffa_Cake said:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html

How do you use that when you don't have the OS installed? Any ideas??

gareth170 · 6 May 2007 at 10:48

Lolcb said:
How do you use that when you don't have the OS installed? Any ideas??

u can't.. theres no way of using that without the OS installed...

Egosh · 6 May 2007 at 11:00

is there any difference between the oem version and the retail version apart from the fact that there wont be a box and whatnot..

as in will still be able to use windows update and will i be able to use that windows cd in say a years time when i get a completely new pc?

gareth170 · 6 May 2007 at 11:30

Egosh said:
is there any difference between the oem version and the retail version apart from the fact that there wont be a box and whatnot..

as in will still be able to use windows update and will i be able to use that windows cd in say a years time when i get a completely new pc?

the licenses are different...

oem is tired to the motherboard and can't be transfered.. retail can be transfered from computer to computer

platypus · 6 May 2007 at 11:34

Sorry to hijack..

..but I cannot activate my copy of windows XP on my new PC (I've not activated it before, I assume the cd-key has been stolen?) Do I therefore have to purchase a new cd-key from Microsoft? I'm getting a tad sick of formatting to reinstall every 30 days..

MarcLister · 6 May 2007 at 11:41

platypus said:
Sorry to hijack..

..but I cannot activate my copy of windows XP on my new PC (I've not activated it before, I assume the cd-key has been stolen?) Do I therefore have to purchase a new cd-key from Microsoft? I'm getting a tad sick of formatting to reinstall every 30 days..

So you get some activation error because the CD key has already been used?

I'd ring Microsoft up and see what they say. I assume you have proof of purchase of your XP copy? If you have then MS can't really accuse you of anything dodgy.

gareth170 · 6 May 2007 at 11:44

platypus said:
Sorry to hijack..

..but I cannot activate my copy of windows XP on my new PC (I've not activated it before, I assume the cd-key has been stolen?) Do I therefore have to purchase a new cd-key from Microsoft? I'm getting a tad sick of formatting to reinstall every 30 days..

have u changed anything on your pc?