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mouapp
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07 Dec 2008, 7:58 pm

well it started when i tried to reimage my desktop computer not realising that my windows cd key was long gone, when i realised that i decided to try linux not realising just how much work it is. now i want windows back and after a few failed attempts i haven’t touched my computer in 4 days and im thinking of selling it cus im that sick of looking through FAQs, forums, and wikis then f*****g around with things that almost work. right now i could really use a strait answer even if its that im screwed



TL;DR: is it possible to recover a windows cd key without it already installed?


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demeus
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07 Dec 2008, 8:46 pm

If you have the install CD and the computer, wouldn't the key be on a sticker attached to the computer?



pakled
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07 Dec 2008, 9:04 pm

Or, if you registered it through MS, they should be able to help.



mouapp
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07 Dec 2008, 9:13 pm

demeus wrote:
If you have the install CD and the computer, wouldn't the key be on a sticker attached to the computer?

na the sticker is gone thats the problem

but thanks it looks like i can "apply" for a new kew through microsoft


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richie
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08 Dec 2008, 8:52 am

You might want to try "Magical Jelly bean Key Finder"
Available here: http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/


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mouapp
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08 Dec 2008, 6:12 pm

the problem with the key finders is that they find the key you installed it with and its not installed

after the microsoft site just sent me in circles i used the key from my family computer and it all seems good now
anyone know if im gonna run into problems?


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lau
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08 Dec 2008, 8:05 pm

mouapp wrote:
the problem with the key finders is that they find the key you installed it with and its not installed

after the microsoft site just sent me in circles i used the key from my family computer and it all seems good now
anyone know if im gonna run into problems?

The keyfinder that richie mentioned does not require a functioning installation. It just needs to be able to see the Windows directory. Of course, it does seem you have lost that. I'm surprised, as a Linux install would not have touched it, unless you forced it to destroy the Windows partition. And now, you have presumably completely destroyed it, by telling Windows to overwrite itself with the wrong key.

As to whether you will have problems... yes, you will, I guess, as Microsoft will complain every time you try to update each machine. You only have a licence for one machine.

You may choose to avoid this problem, to some extent, by using windizupdate.


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mouapp
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09 Dec 2008, 7:56 pm

lau wrote:
The keyfinder that richie mentioned does not require a functioning installation. It just needs to be able to see the Windows directory. Of course, it does seem you have lost that. I'm surprised, as a Linux install would not have touched it, unless you forced it to destroy the Windows partition. And now, you have presumably completely destroyed it, by telling Windows to overwrite itself with the wrong key.

As to whether you will have problems... yes, you will, I guess, as Microsoft will complain every time you try to update each machine. You only have a licence for one machine.

You may choose to avoid this problem, to some extent, by using windizupdate.

that would explain a lot...

hahah oh man this is why i shouldn't be a computer technician, thanks for the help im sure these threads must get annoying


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