Windows XP activation code

I had to wipe my laptop, after my last session online, I caught something horrid.

The long and the short of it is, everything is fine again, HOWEVER the shop where I bought my laptop, wont give me the activation code... EVEN THOUGH, I bought the laptop from them.
The happily activated it for me, in the back room, but won't cough up the code.

However, years ago Leperus posted the method of locating it through the registry, but I cannot recall the route.

Can anyone give me the path please.

The laptop is mine and it came with XP, they just want me to return again someday to cough up a few more bucks for their time.

I think I paid for it with the purchase of the machine.

Thanx in advance

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I don't think you mean the activation code, but the Windows licence number.

The easiest way to find yours is simply to use the popular (free open-source) JellyBean finder, but there are hundreds of similar utils if you google.

If your PC came with Windows preinstalled then the licence key should be on the COA sticker on the side of your PC. It will look similar to this: If you do not have a COA sticker with the product key on it, then it is illegal - that copy of Windows is not genuine. Usually on laptops the COA is on the rear side.

What commonly happens to rip you off for the price of a copy of Windows is that small shops sometimes use volume licence keys they have "acquired". If you have XP Pro rather than home, then chances are this is what has happened. Even if it's Home Edition, they may have used the same key for multiple installs to save money.

Activation is built in and must occur within 30 days of a fresh install. You can activate Windows online, or by phone. Via phone they give you an activation code, but this is based on a hardware hash and will be different each time. It is not something that is in the registry anywhere, and it is not something a shop can give you. It is an MS generated key that is used only for telephone activation (well, that's the only time you'd see it anyway). It's not anything there is any point in writing down even if you get one, as it won't work for additional installs... you'll need a new code.

what i always do is just phone the free number for a new key/activation thingy.

You can just give em any windows xp key of your xp version and they'll cough up an activation key aslong as you select that you have it on 1 pc, which is the case here right?

It's a bit of hastle to get all the numbers dialed in but it always worked for me to get xp activated back when i worked in a pc repair shop (alot of the pre installs wouldnt activate with the oem keys).

i even did it once with a random key i found on the net, used it in windows install, and then activated it by phone, and they still gave me a new key.

Junkyard God said:
i even did it once with a random key i found on the net, used it in windows install, and then activated it by phone, and they still gave me a new key.

I only just now realised why you picked that avatar... :/

I bought the laptop legit. However, the business I got it from had the laptops wiped BEFORE I ARRIVED, and installed windows xp home.

The laptop originally had vista, but he says no one would buy them with vista and wiped them in favor of XP, with I originally had no issue with since XP runs great on 1 gig of ram, but vista doesn't.

My issue is, if something happens again, I will be forced to return to him for yet another activation and I feel since I paid 500 bucks, that thats a crock.

My goal, is to fish around within the registry for the code he used, when he took it into the back room.

Now as far as I know, his copy/ and or number is legit too, my gripe is not being allowed to have it.

Hope that cleard up any misunderstanding.

I do know that once upon a time, Leperus posted the exact path within the registry to locate said number.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Jelly Bean seems to have done the trick. Thanx a bunch

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The best things in life, aren't things.

If you don't have a COA sticker on the laptop with the number on it, then you are using an illegal licence key, regardless of if the shop has used a VLK key that is properly licensed to them.

Microsoft said:
A COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine. However, without it, you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software.

The XP licence key is not stored in the registry as it was in Win95/98. About the best you could do would be to reactivate WGA and go through the activation steps again as the current key will be shown if you select "change product key". It's easier to use a vb script or an executable such as jellybean to extract it straight from either $winnt$.inf or the SAM hashes.

I am typing this real slow.. There is a sticker on the bottom, it says "VISTA HOME PREMIUM"

It now has XP home installed. I appreciate the help but I feel that your usefulness has diminished since you decided my usefulness is restricted to trolling.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Orpheus said:
I am typing this real slow.. There is a sticker on the bottom, it says "VISTA HOME PREMIUM"

Which doesn't provide downgrade rights to XP, only Business and Ultimate do Mr know-everything

Ok separate you too. Larchy don't let him drag you down to his level.

Maybe if we ignore him, he will just go away?

Hey Larchy, I have been wanting to ask you about your Occupation.. you do know what a fluffer is right?

Either I don't know, I know and I'm making a joke, or I know and there are some very odd animal rights abuses going on.

Which is scarier

Its a sad day when people, anyone sides with moneyshot... Have we downgraded this much?

As I said, to the best of my knowledge, the windows XP is legitimate. I do not understand why anyone wants to keep pointing out otherwise.

All I wanted was a method of locating the activation number used. It obviously works as I have had no messages stating otherwise.

I refuse to debate anymore. I received my help. Said thanx, and now am receiving grief from someone I know, and someone I know very, very little.

Perhaps, I am not the only one whom needs to step back, and learn about the other...

Thanx again....

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The best things in life, aren't things.

larchy said:
Either I don't know, I know and I'm making a joke, or I know and there are some very odd animal rights abuses going on.

Which is scarier

The fact you said animal rights leads me to believe you do know.. and when we said dude you need to get some pussy.. I think you may of misunderstood.

Muhnay said:
Ok separate you too. Larchy don't let him drag you down to his level.

Maybe if we ignore him, he will just go away?

Shut the fuck up you moron. Orpheus is ten times the poster and asset to the community than you'll ever be.

Orpheus said:
Its a sad day when people, anyone sides with moneyshot... Have we downgraded this much?

I don't side with money. :/

YAK, L2ONLINEMOAR!

EDIT: I see something interesting in your sig money, but it isn't broken, hrm.

Orpheus said:
I bought the laptop legit. However, the business I got it from had the laptops wiped BEFORE I ARRIVED, and installed windows xp home.

The laptop originally had vista, but he says no one would buy them with vista and wiped them in favor of XP, with I originally had no issue with since XP runs great on 1 gig of ram, but vista doesn't.

My issue is, if something happens again, I will be forced to return to him for yet another activation and I feel since I paid 500 bucks, that thats a crock.

My goal, is to fish around within the registry for the code he used, when he took it into the back room.

Now as far as I know, his copy/ and or number is legit too, my gripe is not being allowed to have it.

Hope that cleard up any misunderstanding.

I do know that once upon a time, Leperus posted the exact path within the registry to locate said number.

lol sounds like they nicked the oem key to sell, one of the first stores i worked in it fixing computers did this, they replaced the sticker on the laptop with some old sticker from an old pc with the same os and nicked the oem one and sold it for 70 euros as 'windows key without cd' kinda deals.... (i quit when i saw him take off one of those stickers once, just walked out the door with a nice gfx card in my hands going 'you've stolen atleast this much. lolol)

It could be to 'install the pc properly' but since it usually removes the recovery partition or backup functions etc. it also makes people come back to get the pc repaired even if they dont nick the key. I hate shops like this, customize and install at consumer demands ,not what you think its easiest to use (while you're a working IT professional with years of computer experience -_-)

on fixing the problem have you called microsoft atall? they're pretty easy going with giving keys, if you have the bill for the laptop etc. or some other evidence of your purchase it should be no problem atall for them to just read you a new one over the phone which does work.
I think there's also some small programs for grabs on the web to get the cd key of your windows, they always show they key aswell. It might be easier than searching the registry, thats horrible stuff.

and i picked this avatar because pirates live awsome and free not because i'm poor

You don't agree even if I am right because you seem to not like me.. thats cool. I accept that.

As for the quote below.. hit control + r and refreash the page.. it should show up then. its a sarcasm meter.

thehalflifeman33 said:
EDIT: I see something interesting in your sig money, but it isn't broken, hrm.

Okay couple things here guys - I'm a Microsoft certified technician (I've gone through the training of the different versions of Windows XP/Vista):

Orph- Is this laptop a Dell Vostro? If so you may have a series laptop that HAS a Vista business license on the bottom, but your computer came with XP home/pro on it. If thats the case then its kinda O.K. because there are Dell OEM versions of XP out there that activate on Dells without a license key, however the license YOU got out of Jelly Beans will not work if you try to re-enter the key using any ol' XP CD (the holographic CD as may call it), because the key that was assigned is an OEM key not mean to be entered.

If its anything else:
Chances are you are being dupped, much like Larchy said these guys may have a volume license that they are using, and while it passes WGA right now, a future reinstall may not activate OR further down the road M$ may flag that license as being invalid (this may happen when you reactivate after a reinstall, when you run the Windows Genuine Advantage Tool, or go to do windows updates), and your computer will start telling you you've been a victim of software piracy.

"Orpheus" said:
As I said, to the best of my knowledge, the windows XP is legitimate. I do not understand why anyone wants to keep pointing out otherwise.

All I wanted was a method of locating the activation number used. It obviously works as I have had no messages stating otherwise.

I know it may seem like we're beating a dead horse here, but you should really get this figured out. If this laptop was intended to have an OEM w/o an XP licence (which IS the case in Dell Vostro Laptops), then you can only reinstall windows "legally" with the disks that Dell provides (either through recovery partition, or by the disks provided) - it wont ask you for a key, because the CDs can "read" the laptop and see if its a dell or not. Jelly beans will give you a psuedo license number, that will not activate on anything else (like the XP hologram disks that I think you may have).

If its the case of a volume License (which may "friends who have XP use - which may be your case), then the key you grabbed from jelly beans might not work the next time your reinstall windows, or in the near future.

I'm an MCSE too (amongst other things) and owned/ran a chain of PC retail shops for 5 years and therefore know the Windows licensing laws inside out... but all of that is irrelevant apparently because Orpheus considers his install to be legal.

Yes Vista Business would give you downgrade rights, but you obviously missed him saying:

Orpheus said:
I am typing this real slow.. There is a sticker on the bottom, it says "VISTA HOME PREMIUM"

Therefore he does not have any legal licence to run XP.

But... he doesn't want to listen when people are telling him just because it's working now doesn't mean he won't have future problems and he should really contact MS (which I provided the links to) and report it as counterfeit software. He'd get a legit licence off them for free most likely.... then they'd go after the retailer.

I'm not here to debate legalities, especially since I agree somewhat, however the discussion is now moot since as soon as I can, I plan to upgrade to Win7... MY OWN COPY.

I also have no interest in harming the business I got the laptop from, since they gave me a copy of Vista to replace my XP..

The laptop has a legal registry number and I think I'll use it.

/issue

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Orpheus said:
I'm not here to debate legalities, especially since I agree somewhat, however the discussion is now moot since as soon as I can, I plan to upgrade to Win7... MY OWN COPY.

I have always known you as a pirate Orph. You usually prefaced your posts here at the pit with a "verboten" type of header whenever you wanted to get your point across about PC apps which you've attained illegally. You've plainly admitted to pirating movies, software, games and whatever else you can get your hands on from file transfer sites. This is why your recent posts are suspect at best. Initially I kind of feel that you post these lame "Laptop/Windows/Validation" and "AVI to DivX" type things to find out how to circumvent normal validation procedures, probably because you've downloaded free copies from some third world sites, and need to know how to make thewm work on your computer.

But lets admit it, youv'e earned this kind of suspicion. The mere fact that you have to state( which is actually the first time I can remember you putting these three words together) "MY OWN COPY" lends credence to that. I must be getting older, because normally I would'nt bother( as I haven't since I've known you here, and thats many years) but your bullshit is getting stale, and basically, your'e not a very nice person.

Quick someone call the Fire Brigade! Good thing you did not include any pictures of cats JUIM... then you'd be in trouble.

Juim, I never camouflage my request for borrowed software. As you said, I often post about such, but as I said, I have no internet. I have to borrow it while I travel. Its not as available as one would think.

To state it bluntly I clarified as clearly as I could think of in stating that my request were legitimate. I even posted a link to the camera in the avi thread and stated quite clearly that the laptop was a legitimately bought one that the computer store had themselves wiped in favor of windows XP.

I got it fairly cheap at just under 500 bucks, but the machine originally came with vista. I had no control over what happened before I purchased it. The store did offer to give me a free copy of vista, since the laptop came with it originally.

I however felt that since I bought it with XP pre-installed, they owed me a legitimate number. They disagreed, so I thought to circumvent it by locating the number via another way.

As for my being nice or otherwise, I'd beg to differ. Its your right to think anything you wish, but when alls said and done, my name will always be on Santa's "Nice" list.... Mostly always.

In the end, you'll only ever see the not nice Orph, when its appropriate.. Not when others think its appropriate, when I think so.

When I think about it, of all the times to complain, you pick a time when I needed help for a legitimate problem. If I didn't know better, I'd have to say that you picked a piss poor time to get a conscience.

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The best things in life, aren't things.