Deciphering Product Key

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Rickles

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#116229 22-Apr-2013 19:14

Currently refurbishing a laptop that has the Operating System COA sticker on the bottom, BUT only half of the 5 sets of 25 alphanumeric characters can be read .... looks just worn out with usage and heat etc.

Unfortunately, the hard drive is a definite dead bestie, so cannot use a Product Key recovery tool from the previous install.

Any suggestions to recover Key?

R.

coffeebaron

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#803971 22-Apr-2013 22:16

Sometimes taking a photo with hi-res camera can help. Done that with the odd partly worn sticker and can help make out some of the very faded characters.

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Rickles

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#803983 22-Apr-2013 22:39

Not a bad idea .... will give it a go.

R.

CYaBro

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#803986 22-Apr-2013 22:40

Which version of Windows is it?
Is it running the original factory install of Windows?
If Windows has been reinstalled on it in the past you might get lucky and they may have used the key from the COA in which case you could get it with Produkey or Magic Jellybean.

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graemeh

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#803988 22-Apr-2013 22:51

What brand of laptop is it?

Some of them don't need the key as long as you use the manufacturer recovery media (which can be from another machine).

LennonNZ

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#804001 22-Apr-2013 23:22

You could try using a black light and see if you can see it any better.

Oblivian

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#804003 22-Apr-2013 23:36

LennonNZ: You could try using a black light and see if you can see it any better.

But avoid waving it over the keyboard.. right? ;)

Serial tho. Not bad idea. Or tilt it under a LED or similar, you may see the print indentations still.

The alternative, is if you can see the 2xblack OEM code on the label, and have the PC SN. You may find MS helpdesk be obliging and issue a new one. (just explain the manufacturer was stupid and didn't put it under the battery compartment like they do nowadays)

Based on this, Im guessing its an HP DV series or similar. Chronic for doing it.

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Rickles

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#804078 23-Apr-2013 08:51

CYaBro - already said the original install is gone, else I'd use ProduKey.

graemeh - Toshiba, but no recovery disks found.

LennonNZ - any night clubs still using them .

Oblivian - really? Ask MS? .

Cheers guys,

R.

LennonNZ

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#804082 23-Apr-2013 08:56

http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/party-festive-supplies/kids-parties/other/auction-584870851.htm

Rickles

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#804083 23-Apr-2013 09:00

Ha ha ha ... just like the 1960's dance halls and me with my psychedelic trousers .

R.

Oblivian

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#804085 23-Apr-2013 09:02

Sorry, other way around. Thats for OEM. Manufacturer ones you goto them. In your case toshy.

They will need proof of purchase, model, serial etc etc.

Afterall, the certificiate is generally that, and the rebuild CDs (which will be purchasable after the fact and tied to certain hardware part numbers) can often contain a generator that creates keys in a range specific to that maker. Which is why they have 2 other 'serial numbers' stamped on the same label

Rickles

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#804087 23-Apr-2013 09:07

Yup, worth a try.

R.

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dolsen

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#804103 23-Apr-2013 09:25

As you already have a valid product cert, I'd be looking at the info from a google search for slic slp. You could probably get it installed without needing the key on the sticker.

Otherwise, does the barcode have the encoded product key in it? You might be able to extract it from that.