My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they said) and
I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is they
have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.

Jim wrote:
> My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they said) and
> I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is they
> have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.


The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." It is not on the installation CD
in any way, shape, or form. If it was an OEM (factory installed)
license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer affixed to
the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of a laptop.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use Belarc
Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html to find the
Product Key. (If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and
haven't since reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably
of the drive image used at the factory and not your specific Product
Key; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not
be -- used for a re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of
the Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy
a new license.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

Jim wrote:

> My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they
> said) and I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The
> problem is they have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the
> Key number.

If you have a Dell XP restore cd, use the Product Key that is on the
sticker on the computer. The sticker is normally on the back or side of
a desktop, on the bottom of a laptop.

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

Hi Jim,

The Product Key may be on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label adhered
to the side (or bottom, if computer in question is a Notebook) of the case.
Have a look here:

"Where can I find the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or Product Key for
my DellT computer system?"
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...t?DN=FA1029949



Regards,

--
Patti MacLeod
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

"Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:328A9673-F888-4AA1-92F6-49EAFB4E1B7C@microsoft.com...
> My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they said)
and
> I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is
they
> have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.

If you go to Google and type "Find Product Key" you should find this URL:
http://pcsupport.about.com/gi/dynami...eyfinder.shtml

Milt

"Jim" wrote:

> My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they said) and
> I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is they
> have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.

That worked... I didn't even think about looking on the computer, where I did
find the Product Key. Thanks a bunch...

"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

> Jim wrote:
> > My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they said) and
> > I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is they
> > have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.
>
>
> The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
> installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
> that says "Do not lose this number." It is not on the installation CD
> in any way, shape, or form. If it was an OEM (factory installed)
> license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer affixed to
> the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of a laptop.
>
> To recover a lost Product Key:
>
> If your system still runs, you should be able to use Belarc
> Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html to find the
> Product Key. (If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and
> haven't since reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably
> of the drive image used at the factory and not your specific Product
> Key; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not
> be -- used for a re-installation.)
>
> If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:
>
> How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;326246
>
> If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
> manufacturer; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of
> the Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy
> a new license.
>
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
> both at once. - RAH
>

Jim wrote:
> That worked... I didn't even think about looking on the computer, where I did
> find the Product Key. Thanks a bunch...
>

You're welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

slightly ot

a client of mine buy lease-returned equipment, refurbishes them and resells
them. They are sold as " With COA, no operating system installed" - what
does that mean exactly, does the buyer have to buy a new os?

curious and thanks!


"Patti MacLeod" <pam120@nospamshaw.ca> wrote in message
news:OkTgjN$AGHA.608@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
| Hi Jim,
|
| The Product Key may be on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label
adhered
| to the side (or bottom, if computer in question is a Notebook) of the
case.
| Have a look here:
|
| "Where can I find the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or Product Key for
| my DellT computer system?"
|
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...t?DN=FA1029949
|
|
|
| Regards,
|
| --
| Patti MacLeod
| Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
|
| "Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
| news:328A9673-F888-4AA1-92F6-49EAFB4E1B7C@microsoft.com...
| > My children installed Win2000 on my computer after it crashed (they
said)
| and
| > I'm trying to reinstall XP Home from my Dell MS XP Disk. The problem is
| they
| > have lost my original CD cover and I don't have the Key number.
|
|

Rob Giordano (Crash) wrote:
> slightly ot
>
> a client of mine buy lease-returned equipment, refurbishes them and resells
> them. They are sold as " With COA, no operating system installed" - what
> does that mean exactly, does the buyer have to buy a new os?
>


It means your "friend" has very few business scruples. The CoA is
proof that there is a legitimate license to use the software
represented. It's not legitimate of him to sell a CoA without also
providing a means of installing the OS and a valid OEM Product Key.
He's ripping off his customers.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

He's not a friend, he's a client.

So the COA is meaningless since there is no CD to go with it. He's not
selling the COA just the machine that has an invalid COA so the person
buying the used machine at an incredible discount will have to buy a new
OS...small price to pay,,but good to know.

THanks for the input.



"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:eWOspmABGHA.3496@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
| Rob Giordano (Crash) wrote:
| > slightly ot
| >
| > a client of mine buy lease-returned equipment, refurbishes them and
resells
| > them. They are sold as " With COA, no operating system installed" - what
| > does that mean exactly, does the buyer have to buy a new os?
| >
|
|
| It means your "friend" has very few business scruples. The CoA is
| proof that there is a legitimate license to use the software
| represented. It's not legitimate of him to sell a CoA without also
| providing a means of installing the OS and a valid OEM Product Key.
| He's ripping off his customers.
|
|
| --
|
| Bruce Chambers
|
| Help us help you:
| http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
| http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
|
| You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
| both at once. - RAH