Comp Dude2 Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 Hello, Does anyone have any experience with using a "key finder" program to determine the licence key for a copy of XP (Home OEM) which is already installed? The sticker on my laptop is badly worn so I can only make out parts of the key and therefore used one of these tools, but I'm not sure the code found matches what I can see of the sticker. It does look pretty different so I'm not sure what to do about it... any ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick2500 Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 Its in the registry if Im not mistaken. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comp Dude2 Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 But I've read it is encrypted and very difficult to find, therefore people use these search tools. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waco Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/findxpkey.htm It's in plaintext. It's only encrypted in Vista/7. EDIT: Reading fail on my part. The link explains how to do it and what programs to use that are safe though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_bowtie Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 that link you listed says it is encrypted.... I always use Magic Jelly Bean.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waco Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 Whoops. There goes my reading comprehension already this morning. Anyway - the link in the article points to a few free key readers that are well trusted. Magic Jelly Bean I've used in the past and it's quite good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporX Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 I use Belarc to get that kind of info. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 I use Belarc to get that kind of info. Yes, any system info program reveals the key, also Everest, SIW, Windows In A Box, etc,,,, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivalary Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 If this is the original factory installed system, chances are it won't have the real COA from the bottom of the laptop. The OEMs generally use an image with a generic COA so that they don't have to enter a different COA for each PC/Laptop. You may be out of luck However, yes, +1 on Magical Jellybean Keyfinder. Hopefully it will work for you, but if it doesn't look anything like the sticker on the bottom of the laptop, it likely won't activate for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comp Dude2 Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) If this is the original factory installed system, chances are it won't have the real COA from the bottom of the laptop. The OEMs generally use an image with a generic COA so that they don't have to enter a different COA for each PC/Laptop. You may be out of luck However, yes, +1 on Magical Jellybean Keyfinder. Hopefully it will work for you, but if it doesn't look anything like the sticker on the bottom of the laptop, it likely won't activate for you. Ah.... yes it is the original factor install, so it will complain if I go with the generic one I would assume. Bugger, oh well I only really wanted to format to clear out a few years worth of stuff, the computer doesn't actually need it. There could be a life lesson here. Thanks guys! Edited June 6, 2012 by Comp Dude2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_bowtie Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 is there a restore partition you could restore from? I remember something from back in the day about HP keys no longer working due to dropping support not sure about others though... I'd give it a whirl and see what happens... if it doesnt go and you need XP hit me up as I can possibly help you out...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comp Dude2 Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 Ah thanks. I there "was" a backup partition until I put Ubuntu on it..... Cheers man, I'll bear that in mind but it might leave the format for now. The other reason was, the screen is dodgy and I wanted to format it before sending it off for someone to look at, but I just opened it up myself, wiggled things about and it is distinctly better. So I might just let it be for now, it's my backup/travel computer anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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