Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have no way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another copy
of Vista?

Thanks.

Richard wrote:

Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista (premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now
have no way of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another
copy of Vista?

Since you already installed Vista, none of the free Product Key finders will
help you. The Product ID is useless in this case; you need the Product
*Key*.

If you have lost your XP product Key, the best option is to call Microsoft.
Call on Microsoft Licensing Fulfillment Center Toll Free Number (800)
248-0655 Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Contact Microsoft page -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...csscontactfind

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

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Richard wrote:
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have no way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.



The Product *ID* is created during the installation process and is
prominently displayed on the opening panel window resulting from
right-clicking the Computer icon and selecting "Properties" from the
context menu. It is used to obtain/qualify for technical support
(limited though that may be) from Microsoft; it is of no use during the
installation process.


Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another copy
of Vista?

Thanks.


The Product *Key* is used to "prove" ownership of a legitimate
license and is required to perform the installation, and is either
stored on the DVD packaging on a sticker that says "Do not lose this
number," or is on a label affixed to an OEM computer.

If you've lost both the DVD and the Product Key, you've essentially
lost your license to use Windows. Like any other type of property that
you've lost, you'll have to replace it at your own cost, unless you had
it insured.



--

Bruce Chambers

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

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

You can use the utility in the following link to recover your product key
from your system:

http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
"Richard" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have no
way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another
copy
of Vista?

Thanks.

Hello Richard,

If your currently installed Vista has been activated with your product
key number (not the same as product ID), then you can use the program in
this tutorial to see what your product key number is.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/85...ey-number.html


If your Vista is a retail copy, then you can then make a copy of the
other retail Vista installation DVD borrowed from a friend to use to
install Vista with your product key number. If you have a OEM Vista
computer, then this will not work. You will need to contact the OEM (ex:
HP), or visit their website, instead for a replacement Vista recovery
CD/DVD to use with your product key number.

Hope this helps,
Shawn


Richard;858745 Wrote:
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have
no way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another
copy
of Vista?

Thanks.


--
Brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
them.*
'*VISTA FORUMS*' (http://www.vistax64.com)
*Please post feedback to help others.*

On Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:35:41 -0700, "Curious"
wrote:

You can use the utility in the following link to recover your product key
from your system:

Did you happen to notice (NO!) that the OP has overwritten the
original installation with a new one... making that retrieval freaking
impossible??



http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
"Richard" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have no
way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another
copy
of Vista?

Thanks.

No, Paul, I didn't notice that he had already wiped out his system. In any
case I hope that others reading this thread will now know that the Product
Key is recoverable from an intact system
"Paul Montgomery" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:35:41 -0700, "Curious"
wrote:

You can use the utility in the following link to recover your product key
from your system:

Did you happen to notice (NO!) that the OP has overwritten the
original installation with a new one... making that retrieval freaking
impossible??



http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
"Richard" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have no
way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another
copy
of Vista?

Thanks.

"Curious" wrote in message
...
No, Paul, I didn't notice that he had already wiped out his system. In
any case I hope that others reading this thread will now know that the
Product Key is recoverable from an intact system
"Paul Montgomery" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:35:41 -0700, "Curious"
wrote:

You can use the utility in the following link to recover your product key
from your system:

Did you happen to notice (NO!) that the OP has overwritten the
original installation with a new one... making that retrieval freaking
impossible??



http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
"Richard" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have
no
way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another
copy
of Vista?

Thanks.



And that is not always correct either. If the computer comes from a major
manufacturer like Dell, Gateway, etc. the key on the factory installation is
NOT the key that is needed for the reinstallation from the Windows CD/DVD or
recovery partition. The proper key will be provided on a sticker located on
the computer (normally either on the bottom of a laptop or the back plate of
a desktop or within the documentation.)

When these major manufacturers create the hard drive it is from a master
copy with a master key provided by Microsoft and there may be hundreds or
thousands of computers with the same key. If that key is used to attempt to
activate a reinstall it will fail.

"Richard" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows. I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have no
way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on another
copy
of Vista?

Thanks.

Look on the bottom of a laptop or the back plate of a desktop computer for a
sticker for the version of XP or Vista that was originally installed on your
computer. Most manufacturers place the key in that location. If the
operating system was preinstalled on the computer contact the computer
manufacturer for a possible replacement CD/Key. Now, if this was a retail
version purchased after the computer was purchased you will need to follow
the link that Malke gave you for the key and CD.

It is correct it is the key that was used for the current installation and
if the current installation is from an OEM manufacturer then of course then
it would be the same as that is on on the sticker on the computer itself in
which the user would not have lost/."LVTravel" wrote in
message ...


"Curious" wrote in message
...
No, Paul, I didn't notice that he had already wiped out his system. In
any case I hope that others reading this thread will now know that the
Product Key is recoverable from an intact system
"Paul Montgomery" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:35:41 -0700, "Curious"
wrote:

You can use the utility in the following link to recover your product
key
from your system:

Did you happen to notice (NO!) that the OP has overwritten the
original installation with a new one... making that retrieval freaking
impossible??



http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
"Richard" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I've lost my disc and key but urgently needed a reinstall of windows.
I
wrote down the product ID which I thought would help me, and installed
vista
(premium) from another disc. However, I have no key and so I now have
no
way
of activating it even though I possess a valid product ID.

Is there anything I can do or have I just got to spend money on
another
copy
of Vista?

Thanks.



And that is not always correct either. If the computer comes from a major
manufacturer like Dell, Gateway, etc. the key on the factory installation
is NOT the key that is needed for the reinstallation from the Windows
CD/DVD or recovery partition. The proper key will be provided on a
sticker located on the computer (normally either on the bottom of a laptop
or the back plate of a desktop or within the documentation.)

When these major manufacturers create the hard drive it is from a master
copy with a master key provided by Microsoft and there may be hundreds or
thousands of computers with the same key. If that key is used to attempt
to activate a reinstall it will fail.