View Full Version : regaining registration number for your XP copy?
Skybird
09-13-08, 06:12 PM
Is there a way to learn the registration number for your windows copy, the one that you have entered when installing and that is printed on that seal-sticker? It should be hidden in the registry somewhere, or what?
Point is I need to reinstall again sooner or later, but this time do not wish to do it from an image, but by hand, manually - too many changes in the past three years. Since i had to get a new replacement code via telephone (all my attempts with the original one had been eaten up), i think i need that new number: and by mistake that is the one I threw away back then.
I have meanwhile bought a legal HP-OEM version of XP as a backup, but then came SP3 and with it the feedback that their are probolems during booting with SP3 being used on HP installations. I would like to avoid the risk of testing my luck. even consider to buy a new XP copy with SP3 inclouded in the installation process. You need to prepare, if you want to jump vista, and maybe the folloiwng OS as well.
Sounds like this program is what you need Sky:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
Skybird
09-13-08, 06:32 PM
That saved my day! Many thanks.
Do you have an idea for a freeware Hd manager? I have 50 GB left on my HD that are not formatted or attached to any virtual drive. I can't directly access them and format and partition, I first must attach them to an existing drive, or make them a virtual drive themselves. I tried three freeware downloads now, and all programs were broken.
Skybird
09-13-08, 06:36 PM
No, it worked not. :cry: the number I got is the same original code that was entered in vein, and then I telephoned and got a new one that had to be entered. I wonder if that one even can be retrieved.
That saved my day! Many thanks.
Do you have an idea for a freeware Hd manager? I have 50 GB left on my HD that are not formatted or attached to any virtual drive. I can't directly access them and format and partition, I first must attach them to an existing drive, or make them a virtual drive themselves. I tried three freeware downloads now, and all programs were broken.
You mean, you got 50 GB of un-partitioned space?
You can 'turn' it into usable space.. ea an extra disk with the Windows Disk Manager, or if you are more adventurous, use fdisk or a tool like partition magic.
No, it worked not. :cry: the number I got is the same original code that was entered in vein, and then I telephoned and got a new one that had to be entered. I wonder if that one even can be retrieved.
Ahh, you mean the activation failed? It is not really uncommon. I got copies/keys that where installed plenty of times without the need to call, and then there are 2 or 3 of the keys (all legal, btw) that wont let me activate them without calling and get an activation key.
Damn pain in the behind.
Skybird
09-13-08, 06:50 PM
That saved my day! Many thanks.
Do you have an idea for a freeware Hd manager? I have 50 GB left on my HD that are not formatted or attached to any virtual drive. I can't directly access them and format and partition, I first must attach them to an existing drive, or make them a virtual drive themselves. I tried three freeware downloads now, and all programs were broken.
You mean, you got 50 GB of un-partitioned space?
You can 'turn' it into usable space.. ea an extra disk with the Windows Disk Manager, or if you are more adventurous, use fdisk or a tool like partition magic.
no, I intentionally ignored it during installation, when I had to create partitions before windows was installed. It is "nicht zugeordnet". Formatting or partitioning are not possible currently, which is no mistake at all. the free disk space is not recognized as part of any drive, and in normal drive list even is not mentioned.
That saved my day! Many thanks.
Do you have an idea for a freeware Hd manager? I have 50 GB left on my HD that are not formatted or attached to any virtual drive. I can't directly access them and format and partition, I first must attach them to an existing drive, or make them a virtual drive themselves. I tried three freeware downloads now, and all programs were broken.
You mean, you got 50 GB of un-partitioned space?
You can 'turn' it into usable space.. ea an extra disk with the Windows Disk Manager, or if you are more adventurous, use fdisk or a tool like partition magic. no, I intentionally ignored it during installation, when I had to create partitions before windows was installed. It is "nicht zugeordnet". Formatting or partitioning are not possible currently, which is no mistake at all. the free disk space is not recognized as part of any drive, and in normal drive list even is not mentioned.
It should show up in the Windows Disk Manager.. not in My Computer.
Skybird
09-14-08, 05:15 AM
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7969/image1kv9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
XabbaRus
09-14-08, 05:53 AM
On a related note, I have a genuine copy of Office XP which I bought when I was a student. My wife though threw out the disk cover with the S/N on it. What can I do? If you don't believe me I can photo a the disc and show it.
Skybird
09-14-08, 06:48 AM
On a related note, I have a genuine copy of Office XP which I bought when I was a student. My wife though threw out the disk cover with the S/N on it. What can I do? If you don't believe me I can photo a the disc and show it.
I believe you. Maybe use that keyfinding tool I just was recommended? It gave me keys not only for Windows XP but for Words as well, and Works, and some other key-registrered games as well. Try it.
I also read in some forum that this is legal, because MS themselves were referred to to have set up an article in the knoweldge base on how to retrieve registration keys from your installed software - these tools just seem to implement the explained scripts. and how could it be any different than legal, if the software is bought by you and installed on your system.
picture snippage
Ok, I think, I see what you mean. Did you try booting into safe mode and log in as administrator?
Skybird
09-14-08, 10:36 AM
I am the administrator, and only user anyway. administration rights is never a problem over here. Problem is that after installation of SP3 the old Windows CD no longer offers much help, the error message says that the windows version installed (on HD) does not match the one on CD. For example I can'T repair the installation from CD, for that reason. After SP2, it still worked. but not after SP3.
I tried a partition manager demo, which unfortunately did not carry out the action (Paragon 8.0), just demonstrated it virtually. But I do not want to pay money for just one simple action I need, and then never again. The few freeware solutions I had all did run correctly, and were broken (maybe too old).
I am the administrator, and only user anyway. administration rights is never a problem over here. Problem is that after installation of SP3 the old Windows CD no longer offers much help, the error message says that the windows version installed (on HD) does not match the one on CD. For example I can'T repair the installation from CD, for that reason. After SP2, it still worked. but not after SP3.
I tried a partition manager demo, which unfortunately did not carry out the action (Paragon 8.0), just demonstrated it virtually. But I do not want to pay money for just one simple action I need, and then never again. The few freeware solutions I had all did run correctly, and were broken (maybe too old).
Safe mode and Admin offers a whole slew of more option than just the regular Admin mode.
Skybird
09-14-08, 03:03 PM
I am the administrator, and only user anyway. administration rights is never a problem over here. Problem is that after installation of SP3 the old Windows CD no longer offers much help, the error message says that the windows version installed (on HD) does not match the one on CD. For example I can'T repair the installation from CD, for that reason. After SP2, it still worked. but not after SP3.
I tried a partition manager demo, which unfortunately did not carry out the action (Paragon 8.0), just demonstrated it virtually. But I do not want to pay money for just one simple action I need, and then never again. The few freeware solutions I had all did run correctly, and were broken (maybe too old).
Safe mode and Admin offers a whole slew of more option than just the regular Admin mode.
Oh!? I did not know that, i always saw safe mode and administrator rights not being connected. I'll try and let you know.
I am the administrator, and only user anyway. administration rights is never a problem over here. Problem is that after installation of SP3 the old Windows CD no longer offers much help, the error message says that the windows version installed (on HD) does not match the one on CD. For example I can'T repair the installation from CD, for that reason. After SP2, it still worked. but not after SP3.
I tried a partition manager demo, which unfortunately did not carry out the action (Paragon 8.0), just demonstrated it virtually. But I do not want to pay money for just one simple action I need, and then never again. The few freeware solutions I had all did run correctly, and were broken (maybe too old).
Safe mode and Admin offers a whole slew of more option than just the regular Admin mode. Oh!? I did not know that, i always saw safe mode and administrator rights not being connected. I'll try and let you know.
It removes certain restrictions from hard and software.
XabbaRus
09-14-08, 03:11 PM
The keyfinder only works for stuff installed after it has been registered. With my copy of Office I can't get past the S/N request as I don't have it. It installs but I can't run the program.
I might e-mail MS about it.
The keyfinder only works for stuff installed after it has been registered. With my copy of Office I can't get past the S/N request as I don't have it. It installs but I can't run the program.
I might e-mail MS about it.
Make sure that you submit a proof of purchase! Either way, they might give you a bunch of crap about the key and refuse to replace it.
Skybird
09-14-08, 03:17 PM
It removes certain restrictions from hard and software.
Tried it, no luck. Regarding the problem, it did nothing.
Probably those 52 Gb are lost if I do not buy a partition manager. But that calculation does not count well, so I probably write those gigabytes off.
Xabba,
consider to carry that disc to a shop you trust, as evidence for your copy being legal, and ask if they can help. they maybe have the ability to give you a generic number, or something like that. Emailing MS might be in vein, maybe since, bia email you cannot prove you own a legal disc. But of course it should be tried nevertheless.
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