Lost XP Upgrade Product Key

When I purchased my Sony laptop 18 months ago it came
loaded with MS ME but there was an option to purchase XP
when it was released later at a reduced cost. I
purchased the XP upgrade but when I went to install it I
found that there were too many incompatible programs so I
decided to wait for a year. Now that I would like to
install it I have the original disk but can't find the
Product Key. Is there any way of retrieving it from the
disk? Thanks. Tony

Greetings --

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is not stored on the installation CD in any way, shape,
or form. It's stored on the CD's packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM (factory
installed) license, it's stored on a holographic label that the PC
manufacturer is supposed to affix to the exterior of the PC case, or
on the bottom of a laptop. The Product Key is _not_ stored on, nor is
it in any way extractable from, the installation CD.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use AIDA32
Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php 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.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact whomever sold you the
OS; 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. The OEM would also be the only one who could issue you a
new Product Key.


Bruce Chambers

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"Tony" <anonymous.RemoveThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:010001c3c80a$e61f3960$a501280a@phx.gbl...
> When I purchased my Sony laptop 18 months ago it came
> loaded with MS ME but there was an option to purchase XP
> when it was released later at a reduced cost. I
> purchased the XP upgrade but when I went to install it I
> found that there were too many incompatible programs so I
> decided to wait for a year. Now that I would like to
> install it I have the original disk but can't find the
> Product Key. Is there any way of retrieving it from the
> disk? Thanks. Tony