Win 2k Product Key

eoge

i know this seems like an unlikely and suspicious story, but it's true. i've lost the "certificate of authenticity" for my windows 2000 CD. i need it for the product key because i need to re-install the OS ASAP. does anyone know if it's possible to install windows 2k without it, or does anyone know where i could get one. i need it pretty soon and the store i bought it from have been unhelpful. maybe someone could post me a number form their workplace PC or something?? thanx.

flamegrill

boot windows 2000 in safe mode, run regedit and the key will be in \\local machine\software\microsoft\windows\current version\

both the oem key and cd key will be there. if its not bootable then ask your software vendor for a new key.

eoge

the system is unbootable, the store i bought it from said it's my problem. i obviously need an alternative solution.

amp

If you think someones going to post a key then you'll be disapointed.

Lenny

Can't you just do a search for a keygen??
soz about recamending him.

Hobbes

Originally posted by eoge
the system is unbootable, the store i bought it from said it's my problem. i obviously need an alternative solution.

If you want to be a bastard about it, you could just ring up MS piracy hotline and tell them you bought the machine and there wasn't any license with the machine.

You'll probably have to buy a new windows but they would be ****ed by MS.

flamegrill

Hobbes
Tinfoil Axe wielding MOD???

heh

WhiteWashMan

Originally posted by flamegrill
Hobbes
Tinfoil Axe wielding MOD???

heh [/QUOTE

its a long story from long ago....]

TomTom

I did what yo said flame, wrote down the product key and some other hugh long number.

Then proceded to reinsatll win2k from scratch, only to find that the product key number I wrote down is 5 digits to short. the other hugh long number is way to long but it looks like some sort of id.

Any advice?

Ryo Hazuki

Illegal Product Key Request.

Your harming the good people who make the product, oh wait.... microsoft.....

rob1891

you suck flame, the number in that path is nothing like my product key (I believe it would have been in win9x tho ...) :P

Google thinks this:

Greetings --

The 25-character, alphanumeric Product Key is not stored anywhere
in usable a format (it's encrypted) in the registry or elsewhere on
the hard drive, unless an improperly terminated installation left it
in a hidden file called $winnt$.inf. (This file won't be present on
most machines, and on those where it exists, it won't always have the
CD key.) Nor is it stored anywhere on the installation media.

If it was a retail license, it's stored somewhere on the CD
packaging on a bright orange sticker that says "Do not lose this
number." If it was an OEM (factory installed) license, it's stored on
a label that the PC manufacturer affixed to the exterior of the PC
case or bottom of a laptop.

To recover a lost CD key:

If your current Win2K installation is still functioning, you may be
able to use AIDA32 from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php to find the
Product Key. (If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and
haven't since reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is that of
the drive image used at the factory and not _your_ specific Product
Key; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not
be -- used for a re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

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

If it was an OEM (factory installed) license, contact the PC's
manufacturer; although few keep records of Product Keys sold, it's
worth a try before you have to buy a new license.


Bruce Chambers
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE PM THESE INDIVIDUALS A KEY!!!

spongebob

he never said what version did he ?

its written on the CD....surely

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

rob1891

Tom didn't, other guy said windows 2000, kinda poor cause google gives the same registry instructions for "lost windows 2000 product key" which are of no use .... google groups on the other hand gets it right.

That ada program works too, but of course neither of these guys have their systems running anymore

I suggest they read their PMs or search using the ISO Plural for Luserz. windowz keyz crackz serialz bicyclez icecreamz etc etc.

rob

hussey

Originally posted by daveirl
Actually I know loads of stores that don't give the installations CDs. I won't name names though.

well I will - PC World in Liffey Valley

my G-friend bought a comp for fairly cheap it had Win ME installed, They didn't give us the cd, so 2 months later - when we realised this- we asked for it, they said they would send it out - they didn't so I went up there

I explained to the shop-keep that I wasn't given a Operating System disk, he said 'So You want a back up disk'
'No I want an operating disk'
'a back up of an operating disk'
seeing as this guy was lacking intelligence I said yes (as I was going to put 2k on it and just wanted Win ME just in case)
so he goes off to burn me a copy
40mins later he hands me 4 cd's, which I thought was strange, brought them home(as shop was closing), try'd them out found out he gave me 1 cd of HP's Device drivers, 3 cds of .dat files

went in the next morning handed him the disks and asked him what an OS was, he said 'What do ya mean' then I asked him just to name one operating system 'Hewlett Packard'

so I grabbed the manager, and he gave me a proper disk

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

TomTom

On my version I lost the sleve. You know the product Key is written on the back of it on an orange label.

I had it written down as a back up and I found the backup one day and was wondering what it was. It was not until i needed it that I remembered what it was.

BigEejit

I can name about 4 places that do it in Cork.
Is it just laziness or are they actually pirating the stuff?

I bought my first comp off a crowd in Galway 7 years ago, and I didnt get any installation CD ... I went back to them a few months later and said wheres me Windows 95 installation disk to the only lad there, either a new employee or disgruntled one ... he spilled the beans anyway, it turns out that the made LOADS of computers with the same installation disk ... never gave it to anyone ... so I started hassling them ... didnt get anywhere until I told them I was going to get on to Micro$oft ... the cheap ass ba$tards gave me 30 odd floppy disks (not MS originals, 3M labels on them with disk number written on them) and a piece of paper with the key written on it ... the reason for the floppys was that they wouldnt shell out for a burner (there were pretty expensive 7 years ago) ... I have heard that they are long ago gone out of business ... maybe someone pointed them out to Micro$oft ... can't for the life of me remember the name of the crowd, ... the reason I bought of them was they were £150 - £200 cheaper than anyone else (how much was Windows 95 again )

Hobbes

Originally posted by TomTom
Then proceded to reinsatll win2k from scratch, only to find that the product key number I wrote down is 5 digits to short. the other hugh long number is way to long but it looks like some sort of id.

Ring MS, explain the situation to them and give them the key you got. They can give you the other key from that, assuming it's a legit key to begin with.

Ryo Hazuki

here's a CD Key for Win2K

Dont tell anyone you got it from me.

2USEI - LLEGA - LKEYS - ISBAD