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Hi, Can someone tell me where Windows stores the XP keycode? Not the reg # that is found under "System" in "Control Panel" - I mean the actual product ID that has to be typed in during installation. I have to do a re-install and I don't have my ID on paper anywhere.
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder FAQ
1) Can I use this to pull the product key from my Microsoft Windows CD?
No. All of the CDs are mass-produced from a single "gold" CD. Therefore they're all identical. They simply check the key that you enter to an algorithm to verify that it is valid.
I don't believe that but it is for the most part correct.
I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.
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http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archiv...
Unlikely that will work but you can try it.
I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.
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Is your WinXP installation still working at this time? If so, Magic Jelly Bean will work. Another one that will also give other keys is SIW.exe.
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@ jefro,
I just tried what you posted above & couldn't believe what I found. I have two legal copies of XP...Pro & Home. I did a search of the CDs for "unattend.txt" & not only did I find a product key on each, but they were different than the ones I have. Cool! ;-)
EDIT: just tried it with my Win2K Pro CD. The unattend.txt is there, but it contains no product key. Next I'll try my Win98 & WinME CDs.
EDIT 2: my Win98SE CD has the unattend.txt but no product key. My WinME CD is an upgrade disc & has no unattend.txt file.
My question is this...if all XP CDs are a copy of a "Gold" master disc, would all of them contain the exact same unattend.txt file & therfore the same product key within that file?
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I also tried on three different versions of WinXP pro. The same key came up on all. Wonder if that key works.
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I guess that answers the question in my 2nd edit...lol. I wonder if that code works as well. It *should* work for the installation, I'm not so sure about activation.
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If they are all the same, does that mean I could use a Dell CD to install onto my HP and use the HP code that came with my computer? Or are the OEM versions different?
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I think you would still need to use a CD that is dedicated to the hardware. I don't have a dell, HP, etc. recovery CD to try. I tried on other versions.
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"I guess that answers the question in my 2nd edit...lol. I wonder if that code works as well. It *should* work for the installation, I'm not so sure about activation."
You hit the nail on the head ;-)
It is an open secret that the infamous "unattended" key is only to get the OS installation completed. Unfortunately, it doesn't & won't activate the installation.
As far as using a Dell vs HP disc to install XP & using the legally assigned HP key to activate. The install will work & the activation will be successful. Insofar as the Dell CD is a full OS disc vs just a recovery image disc.
http://opensourcerules.info/banedke...
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Nice link Sabertooth. I haven't seen that page in quite a while. Thought it was lost forever.
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Sorry, I thought this was a post from another thread.
YES.
If you can access the xp then the magic jellybean and other similar applications will retrieve the key.I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.
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Hi, I'm new here...was reading the thread, looking for similar info. So, can someone here help me? I have a friend who has added a piece of equipment to her comp. The new equipment requires XP or better, but she's running Win2000. I have an XP pro disk but the key I have (handwritten on the sleeve) is not clear. Is there a way to get a good key (or find it on the disk) that will install/activate XP so that she can use her new equipment. The disk was given to me but the code was handwritten, I've tried to install it before but could never figure out what the code was supposed to be (was given to me with a note that says "some of the letters/numbers may need to be switched, such as z instead of 2). Thanks for any help you can provide.
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As was stated above there is not key on the CD. You can just try to type the key as you think it is and if rejected make changes.
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