Need help finding OS license key

Red_Machine · Feb 24, 2012, 09:40 AM

Hey guys. I have a laptop here with XP Pro that needs a repair install, but it wouldn't let me finish without the license key. The key on the bottom is slightly worn, so some of the digits are hard to make out and I think it's for Vista anyway as I've never come across an OEM machine with a Core2 Duo running XP.

Magical Jellybean Keyfinder can't read the keys as I think the registry was overwritten during the partial repair install, and our backup got corrupted so I'm shit outta luck. Any help would be appreciated.

Chevalr1c · Feb 24, 2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Machine

Hey guys. I have a laptop here with XP Pro that needs a repair install, but it wouldn't let me finish without the license key. The key on the bottom is slightly worn, so some of the digits are hard to make out and I think it's for Vista anyway as I've never come across an OEM machine with a Core2 Duo running XP.

Eh... My sister has a Lenovo business laptop equipped with a C2D and XP Pro (tech university student @ Eindhoven). So it is a slight possibility actually.

Could you maybe make a high res pic of the key sticker and PM it to a member you trust? Maybe someone else can read it or at least give some possibilities.

Mindweaver · Feb 24, 2012, 04:22 PM

you can do a couple things.. Hope this helps..

call your OEM and give them your serial number and they will give you the key.
Install the new Windows 8 Developer Preview

Red_Machine · Feb 24, 2012, 04:23 PM

This is a customer's machine, I'm not going to go install Win8 on it...

We're going to try installing Vista on another HDD and attempt to decipher the worn digits.

cadaveca · Feb 24, 2012, 04:25 PM

You can also give Belarc Advisor a try.

Red_Machine · Feb 24, 2012, 04:29 PM

Well, the reason why we need to reinstall is it's borked. That, and it can't boot into Windows right now as it's halfway through the repair install.

Mindweaver · Feb 24, 2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Machine

This is a customer's machine, I'm not going to go install Win8 on it...

We're going to try installing Vista on another HDD and attempt to decipher the worn digits.

Yea, I wouldn't install it on a customer's machine either.. What's the OEM (Dell, HP)?

*EDIT: Missed the n't.. lol I'm eating pizza and typing with one hand... lol

Red_Machine · Feb 24, 2012, 04:42 PM

It's a Toshiba.

Black Panther · Feb 24, 2012, 04:56 PM

I'm throwing this blindly since I never was in your situation:

Install SIW.

Not only is it a great free utility tool in general, it will also show you the OS key. I use it myself.

And you can just run it off a thumb drive without installing anything on the client's pc.

Here's a screenshot of it on my pc (with licence keys edited out obviously):

_________________

I think if you temporarily install another OS like linux SIW would still work and show you the key, since it shows keys for all programs installed on that pc.

Then you can continue the repair.

Red_Machine · Feb 24, 2012, 07:00 PM

The registry has been wiped by the partial repair install, so programs like that can't find the key.

Feb 24, 2012, 09:40 AM	#1
Red_Machine Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Marlow, ENGLAND Posts: 1,454 (1.47/day) Thanks: 149 Thanked 279 Times in 226 Posts System Specs	Need help finding OS license key Hey guys. I have a laptop here with XP Pro that needs a repair install, but it wouldn't let me finish without the license key. The key on the bottom is slightly worn, so some of the digits are hard to make out and I think it's for Vista anyway as I've never come across an OEM machine with a Core2 Duo running XP. Magical Jellybean Keyfinder can't read the keys as I think the registry was overwritten during the partial repair install, and our backup got corrupted so I'm shit outta luck. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ Alienware M11x R1 Netbook: 1.3GHz Core2 Duo U7300 (OC'd to 1.7GHz) \| 8GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz \| nVIDIA GeForce GT 335M 1GB/Intel GMA 4500MHD Hyrbid Graphics System \| Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB \| Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician \| CompTIA A+ Certified Heatware

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Feb 24, 2012, 04:22 PM	#3
Mindweaver Moderato®™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 3,889 (2.55/day) Thanks: 4,379 Thanked 2,365 Times in 1,183 Posts System Specs	you can do a couple things.. Hope this helps.. call your OEM and give them your serial number and they will give you the key. Install the new Windows 8 Developer Preview __________________ “As long as I feel the warmth from the sun and breathe precious air…. I must ask questions to feed the Mind!” Battletag: Mindweaver#1523

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Feb 24, 2012, 04:23 PM	#4
Red_Machine Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Marlow, ENGLAND Posts: 1,454 (1.47/day) Thanks: 149 Thanked 279 Times in 226 Posts System Specs	This is a customer's machine, I'm not going to go install Win8 on it... We're going to try installing Vista on another HDD and attempt to decipher the worn digits. __________________ Alienware M11x R1 Netbook: 1.3GHz Core2 Duo U7300 (OC'd to 1.7GHz) \| 8GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz \| nVIDIA GeForce GT 335M 1GB/Intel GMA 4500MHD Hyrbid Graphics System \| Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB \| Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician \| CompTIA A+ Certified Heatware

Feb 24, 2012, 04:25 PM	#5
cadaveca My name is Dave Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Great White North Posts: 10,922 (4.16/day) Thanks: 4,709 Thanked 5,449 Times in 3,301 Posts System Specs	You can also give Belarc Advisor a try. __________________ Gadgets, Phones, Tablets, Cameras, TVs, HiFi...NextPowerUp -Only real men play games THIS way.

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Feb 24, 2012, 04:29 PM	#6
Red_Machine Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Marlow, ENGLAND Posts: 1,454 (1.47/day) Thanks: 149 Thanked 279 Times in 226 Posts System Specs	Well, the reason why we need to reinstall is it's borked. That, and it can't boot into Windows right now as it's halfway through the repair install. __________________ Alienware M11x R1 Netbook: 1.3GHz Core2 Duo U7300 (OC'd to 1.7GHz) \| 8GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz \| nVIDIA GeForce GT 335M 1GB/Intel GMA 4500MHD Hyrbid Graphics System \| Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB \| Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician \| CompTIA A+ Certified Heatware

Feb 24, 2012, 04:42 PM	#8
Red_Machine Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Marlow, ENGLAND Posts: 1,454 (1.47/day) Thanks: 149 Thanked 279 Times in 226 Posts System Specs	It's a Toshiba. __________________ Alienware M11x R1 Netbook: 1.3GHz Core2 Duo U7300 (OC'd to 1.7GHz) \| 8GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz \| nVIDIA GeForce GT 335M 1GB/Intel GMA 4500MHD Hyrbid Graphics System \| Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB \| Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician \| CompTIA A+ Certified Heatware

Feb 24, 2012, 04:56 PM	#9
Black Panther Senior Moderator™ Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,113 (3.22/day) Thanks: 2,176 Thanked 1,853 Times in 1,110 Posts System Specs	I'm throwing this blindly since I never was in your situation: Install SIW. Not only is it a great free utility tool in general, it will also show you the OS key. I use it myself. And you can just run it off a thumb drive without installing anything on the client's pc. Here's a screenshot of it on my pc (with licence keys edited out obviously): _________________ I think if you temporarily install another OS like linux SIW would still work and show you the key, since it shows keys for all programs installed on that pc. Then you can continue the repair. __________________ *My Great White Bengal build* Join the techPowerUp! Official Group on Facebook. Last edited by Black Panther; Feb 24, 2012 at 05:24 PM.

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PSU:	Corsair HX850W Modular -- NZXT HALE90 850W PSU
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Feb 24, 2012, 07:00 PM	#10
Red_Machine Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Marlow, ENGLAND Posts: 1,454 (1.47/day) Thanks: 149 Thanked 279 Times in 226 Posts System Specs	The registry has been wiped by the partial repair install, so programs like that can't find the key. __________________ Alienware M11x R1 Netbook: 1.3GHz Core2 Duo U7300 (OC'd to 1.7GHz) \| 8GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz \| nVIDIA GeForce GT 335M 1GB/Intel GMA 4500MHD Hyrbid Graphics System \| Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB \| Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician \| CompTIA A+ Certified Heatware

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