Is a valid product key not on the Microsoft/Windows sticker on the system itself. Or was this a home made PC made from parts?
It is possible to extract the product key stored on the system but it sounds like one was never entered for this system.
|
Unfortunately it was a hand built one and we have no contact with the bulders of the system ( who went bust ) and no product key sticker on the box as we have with later machines..
I'm just intrigued as to what will happen in four days time if it is not authorised ? .... Do Microsoft put in a self destruct chip???.
|
You've been a victim of fraud.
When it expires I believe it gives you an option to purchase a legal licence which won't be cheap.
A lot of home built computers have been scrapped for this reason. I hate them and when I open them up sometimes there is some nasty horrors like power supplies and cheap memory.
No wonder he went bust :).
|
|
|
|
I just wondered what happens if it is not authorised? ... ....
Anybody out there know? I tried to find a phone line to talk to a person rather than a machine at Microsoft but no joy.. >>
Some answers (including UK phone number) here:
www.microsoft.com/uk/licensing/lessthan250/deploy-...x
www.microsoft.com/uk/licensing/lessthan250/deploy-...x
The company who supplied are no longer in business and we have no record of the product key for the Windows which they installed. >>
Some local PC supply companies (many have since been shut down due to MS court action) were in the habit of using stolen corporate volume licence keys to get around the activation process.
If as it seems your PC had its disk wiped to reinstall XP, your old licence will have gone with the reformat. If you do not have a sticker on the PC case with the licence number, you will probably find that the MS call centre will tell you that you cannot activate your PC and that you need to buy a new licence (they may not sell you an XP one and instead may ask you to buy Win7).
Edited by jbif on 09/12/2009 at 11:48
|
You can still buy XP so that won't be a problem.
Its actually a very common problem and I explain to my customers if I have no legal COA and see WGA etc all over the place they need to purchase a licence because if I have to do anything to windows I can't.
Ita also very common to find machines with XP Pro on it and are showing up WGA all over the place but have a valid XP Home licence on the case!
|
|
|
|
Yep - you'll need to either buy a licence (about £90 from Microsoft) or buy an OEM version of XP for less.
|
The OEM licence is not strictly legal either but MS do turn a blind eye especialy in homes. It is far better than having a dodgy copy. The OEM version is supposed to be for brand new PCs, if I built a PC I would buy the OEM copy.
Microdirect are selling the retail copy of Windows 7 for around £85 the last time I checked, which is very good value because it can be moved around to another PC if this one dies unlike the OEM version which is locked to the motherboard.
|
|
|
|
I'm just intrigued as to what will happen in four days time if it is not authorised ? .... Do Microsoft put in a self destruct chip?? >>
Google: "what happens if I do not activate genuine windows".
|
|
|
|
FWIW free utility to extract your Windows CD key:
www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
Edited by Focus {P} on 09/12/2009 at 11:56
|
If you install Belarc Advisor (free version), it will list the Product Key in the full list of information about your system, hardware and software.
Due to US Government requirements, it will also state the security standard (or otherwise) of your system with regard to MS updates etc.
See:
www.belarc.com/free_download.html
I've had it installed for years - it is updated by the company on a regular basis.
|
|
|
FWIW free utility to extract your Windows CD key: www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ >>
It will have to be magical to find the keys on a disk with a reinstalled system. ;-)
re. Belarc Advisor, if you do use it, make sure you do not store your results like some foolish people do - Google: "Belarc Advisor XP keys Google is not your friend" to see what I mean.
Edited by jbif on 09/12/2009 at 12:30
|
It's probably been said elsewhere but:
If you don't need to run any software which is Windows only then install Linux (my current favourite is Ubuntu) and Open Office, they're free and every bit as good as XP IMHO, also you have an online community to support you.
Open Office can handle your spreadsheets, presentation etc, Firefox and Thunderbird will do the web stuff, email and calendaring and it's all fairly easy to use even for a habitual Msft user. All will inter-operate with Msft formats too.
|
idle_chatterer i use linux at home but linux mint
i can use some microsoft based software via wine
i did this to listen to spotify but even this is simple these days on the mint as there is a straight forward programme to download
|
|
|
|
>> FWIW free utility to extract your Windows CD key: www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ >> It will have to be magical to find the keys on a disk with a reinstalled system. ;-)
AFAIK it extracts it from the registry ie. CD not required.
|
A useful bit of freeware is What's Running - it not only tells you what the name implies, it also shows the program(s) associated with what is often an obscure name, etc..
|
I do like Linux and now use it on two machines. Got Ubunto on my personal laptop and Mint running on my business machine with NTFS installed. It is a great way of slaving clients hard drives who have route kits on it.
However as a main PC I think Linux would drive me mad. Its perfect for specialist systems or an internet box but for there is just too much Windows programs which will not run under Wine. That said for most people Linux is actually more suitable than Windows.
|
That said for most people Linux is actually more suitable than Windows.
Of course it depends on the use you make of it, my work laptop is dual boot Ubuntu and Vista64, I actually quite like them both.
The kids PCs are Ubuntu, old laptop (for web browsing mostly) is Mint (derived from Ubuntu of course) then we have a ubiquitous Windows XP PC too.
My contention is that for most uses (e.g. if you don't need MS Visio or some web-app with ActiveX) then Ubuntu / Mint with OO is just fine and completely free, there's a huge catalogue of free software to do accounts, drawing or whatever else too. I don't generally use WINE and have opted for Eclipse based versions of other licensed software.
People should understand that their DVD recorder, broadband router and possibly even their phone are probably running Linux, in user-friendy forms such as Ubuntu it's about as easy to use as XP too.
|
|
|
|
I have a VB Script that extracts the Windows key from the registry - it's there but encoded.
But if the system is not activated then it possibly does not have a proper key in use anyway.
|
Jellybeans does the job perfectly but I tend not never use it unless the client has proof they have a proper licence. There is too many ilegal used COAs which pass validation. It is a major problem mostly because business customers seem to think they have a genuine licence but after questioning it turns out they have been ripped off and are using another companies licence.
I am studying my Microsoft qualifications in the new year so I will understand this corperate licence mine field better then.
|
Rattle old son- a place I used to work in used to employ someone to particularly look after MS licences. Back when I was MS cert'ed, there wasn't much licence stuff in the coursework, other than some info about cpu licences and Terminal Services. So you might not find that it teaches you as much as you might think.
Licencing is a bit of a minefield.
Re Ubuntu- just been out and bought myself a new Nvidia GPU, as Ubuntu (and maybe other Debians. inc Mint, and probably Linux in general) dont deal with ATI GPUs well on account of ATIs strange approach to driver releases for non-MS.
|
Licencing is a bit of a minefield.
Windows licensing, especially for clients is worse than it ever was. Not many in Microsoft can provide answers. So I doubt this will be covered in any technical courses.
|
|
|
|
AFAIK it extracts it from the registry ie. CD not required. >>
Focus, AFAIK, for a key to be extracted from Registry, the key has to have been put there in the first place.
So I'll say it again, in reply to your post "FWIW free utility to extract your Windows CD key: www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ " >>
that it will have to be magical to find the keys on a disk with a reinstalled system. ;-)
Edited by jbif on 09/12/2009 at 15:01
|
Focus AFAIK for a key to be extracted from Registry the key has to have been put there in the first place.
Ok, I misunderstood your post...
So I'll say it again
...but give me some credit :-)
|
I`ve just read (somewhere) that providing you have a pc with a valid product key, you are eligible to a free upgrade to Windows 7. As Windows 7 eula allows installation on up to 3 machines, why not use the valid key from one of the later machines, and install a valid copy of Windows 7 on the problem pc?
|
Ahh! - heres the article!
tinyurl.com/yzeszsh
|
|
But you cannot upgrade from XP to Windows 7. It needs to be a clean install.
|
Aparently you can - unless i`ve read it wrong.
quote
No trick needed to upgrade a pirated OS to Win7
As part of my pursuit of truth, justice, and the American way, I tested a Windows 7 upgrade DVD on a PC that I knew had a pirated copy of Windows XP. This particularly sorry piece of hardware had never seen a licensed copy of Windows in its life. The PC might as well have been flying a skull-and-crossbones flag and displaying its "You may be the victim of software counterfeiting" notice like a badge of honor.
Since the machine didn't really have much of an OS to begin with, I decided to take Microsoft's advice for installing Win7 on a PC with no operating system at all. I booted the PC from a genuine, paid-for upgrade DVD. The Win7 installer kicked in with no problem. During installation, I typed in the activation key. Win7 activated immediately once I was connected to the Internet. Go figger.
unquote
|
>>I booted the PC from a genuine, paid-for upgrade DVD.
I think the poster is saying they managed to install a legit Win7 over a dodgy XP ,but the Win7 was paid for.
|
|
...but give me some credit :-) >>
Focus -
No worries, I'll give you that; and I agree that I had not made it absolutely crystal clear that apparently the OP had reinstalled XP but without a serial-key for it.
I`ve just read (somewhere) that providing you have a pc with a valid product key, you are eligible to a free upgrade to Windows 7. >>
billy25
Please tell us where (As you've only just read it, surely you know where?). I think wherever you read it, they were telling porkies or MS have suddenly gone soft in the head and are giving away their new product free of charge!
|
Sorry! me did mis-read it! - the upgrade is not free, however it is a lot cheaper than buying an "off the shelf" full-install version.
I also stand corrected on the install over XP option! - it can be done without the need to reformat, and allowing you to keep all your files and settings, but its not a straightfoward procedure, you have first to upgrade XP --> Vista, and then upgrade again to 7.
Hey ho good ole `98!!
|
|
|
|
As Windows 7 eula allows installation on up to 3 machines
You do mean the Family edition of Windows 7 allows you to install on up to 3 machines. This version being more expensive than a single copy but less expensive than buying three separate copies.
|
>>... Family edition of Windows 7 allows you to install on up to 3 machines. This version being more expensive than a single copy but less expensive than buying three separate copies. >>
available in limited quantities only:
www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/12/07/win7_family_p.../
" ... Microsoft have now been in touch, to confirm that UK families better get their skates, as the offer is for a limited time, and “ The UK offer will close once all stocks of the Family Pack have been purchased." "
|
|
|
|
"..As Windows 7 eula allows installation on up to 3 machines..."
Doesn't the 3 licences only apply if you have bought the "Family Pack" for Home Premium?
The normal Win7 Home Premiun is marked "for use on one computer or device"
|
|
|
|
I believe that regardless of how it got there, any Windows install has some kind of product key. It might have been inserted by an OEM, it might be from a corporate disc, but there'll be some kind of key.
Jellybean most definitely reads it from the registry, chaps.
|
I believe that regardless of how it got there any Windows install has some kind of product key. It might have been inserted by an OEM it might be from a corporate disc but there'll be some kind of key. Jellybean most definitely reads it from the registry chaps.
Which is fab, really, Except its pulling a key out the registry that wont authenticate with MS because its known bogus.
|
"Except its pulling a key out the registry that wont authenticate with MS because its known bogus.".
The OP said this? I must have missed that part.
|
|
|
|
I believe that regardless of how it got there, any Windows install has some kind of product key. It might have been inserted by an OEM, it might be from a corporate disc, but there'll be some kind of key. >>
theterranaut: Not necessarily, apparently, if you install XP+SP3 - see below.
Until the OP clears up a few points, we can all speculate as to how he got where he is at. Let us assume he is not talking about a corporate VLK XP.
As I understand it, he has reinstalled XP on the PC. He says he has no serial-key for it.
Therefore, I have surmised that he has installed XP+SP3 using the new MS procedure quoted below:
"January 2, 2008. - With Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), Microsoft is changing its Product Activation policy to match that of Windows Vista, giving users a 30-day period of grace before they have to enter a Product Key."
Therefore, try as he might, no amount of jellybean magic is going to find a key in the registry.
On the other hand, if the OP has installed an old version of XP,then the following used to apply:
XP+SP1 and XP+SP2 versions of "Windows XP require users to enter their Product Key during installation as part of the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) anti-piracy feature. Failure to do so halts the installation."
So the 4 days deadline he is talking about could well be to do with "Activation" :
"If you have not yet activated Windows XP, you can initiate activation at any time by clicking the Windows Activation icon in the system tray. Once you have activated Windows XP, this icon disappears from the system tray. If you choose not to activate, reminders will appear periodically during the next 30 days. After that time has expired, you will be required to activate in order to continue to use Windows."
Edited by jbif on 09/12/2009 at 20:45
|
|
Thanks jbif, didn't know that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
