Hi, I purchased my toshiba laptop last year, came with Windows XP Media Centre, obtained upgrade cd's from toshiba via ModusLink, installed it, alot of drivers were still not available so reverted back to XP. I placed the Vista Key sticker on the bottom of m laptop and resulted in a number or letter hard to make out. My question is, is this key located somewhere within the files on the installation disk? How can I obtain this key. I'm sure I could use other keys but I don't want to do that. I have my own and I want my system clean and legal. Any help or advice would be appreciated. efran

If you were still able to boot into Vista, you could then use a program like magicaljellybean-see http://www.magicaljellybean.com/key... However, since you reverted back to XP, I'm not sure if that would help you-it would tell you your XP key.

The original sticker on your Toshiba notebook is not a product key per se. It is just a COA sticker that certificates the Windows media is genuine. If you reinstall Windows XP using Toshiba furnished or personally created Recovery CDs or DVDs you will not be prompted to type in the product key number. The reason is that all OEM preinstalled Windows Xp are really system-locked preinstallation (SLP). i_Xp/VistaUser

Hi and thanks for replying...I haven't actully been able to install or upgrade to Vista. When I get to the key window and put in the key to the best of my visual ability, it comes back with invalid key. my key looks like this. . the small x's i can read and are complete, the X's are the only three that i can't see. It's just warn a bit from being on the bottom of my computer. Thanks again. efran

I don't see where Vista came with your computer. "Hi, I purchased my toshiba laptop last year, came with Windows XP Media Centre, obtained upgrade cd's from toshiba via ModusLink, installed it, alot of drivers were still not available so reverted back to XP. I placed the Vista Key sticker on the bottom" According to your statement it came with Windows XP Media Centre. That is not Vista. XpUser already explained to you the OEM instalation procedure. If you purchased/obtained a Vista disk from your supplier the key would have come with it. Contact them regarding the required key.

There should also be a paper with the key on it. The DVD should have had it with the paperwork. Yes, it is on the DVD but I have yet to find out how to get it. I might try to use a binary editor to view the disk and search for what you know of the key. Knowing MS they might have reversed the key set or used a hash over it. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

The key shouldn't be on the actual disc it should be on the case. by reading it you have not got the vista key correct. Is that right?