Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? in Microsoft Help

Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? in Microsoft Help http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21059953 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:24:16 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:24:16 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21075302 Hel :

said by DGDTrathole

:

Hel...sent you email...

Got it, and will look into your suggestion and see if it will work for me. Thanks!
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21075302 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:57:02 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21068114 DGDTrathole : Hel...

sent you email...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21068114 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:54:45 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064627 ChiTang : What I am saying is that mathematically it is impossible. I don't know the actual algorithm in it. Within the 25 chars, some of them may be dummies (that are not used to enumerate). It is still possible that a product ID can regenerate a unique product key. What I am saying is that until someone brings alone a better suggestion/idea/solutions/utility, I can't offer you anymore help beyond what you already have. Sorry.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064627 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:31:22 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064577 Hel :

said by ChiTang

:

There is no way mathematically to have to 1 to 1 mapping of 25 chars to 20 chars. So the product ID itself cannot be used to regenerate the 25 char key.

Yeah, I suspect you're right. I was really hoping that to not be the case, but oh well. I still got some really nice hardware for free, I'll find something to do with it. Thanks everyone!
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064577 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:22:04 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064446 ChiTang : OP has the product ID, not the product Key.

To OP:

The product key a set of 25 alphanumeric characters, the product ID is a set of 20 alphanumeric characters. There is no way mathematically to have to 1 to 1 mapping of 25 chars to 20 chars. So the product ID itself cannot be used to regenerate the 25 char key.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064446 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:54:51 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064247 searchname : Just an idea, not sure if it will work or not.

Perhaps you could install the OS w/o the key and then RT Click "My Computer", choose "properties" and then click on "Change product key", then key in your product key.

Then you could either attempt to activate via the internet, since the hardware hasn't changed, or call?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064247 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:27:33 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064183 ChiTang : The situation is that, the "key" is lost. Although I cannot 100% deny that possibility, I highly doubt that MS will give you the key or give you another key.

May be a disgruntled MS employee simply gives them away as a revenge to MS.
May be the employee thinks it is the ex-president calling and extends the courtesy.

May PM him the number and ask him to call MS.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064183 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:16:04 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064074 JimmyCarter1 : Yes, I have, if you are honest Microsoft always knows by the numbers you give them over the phone.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21064074 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:59:43 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21063662 Hel :

said by JimmyCarter1

:

Install it without putting any product key in and after it is installed click on activate and get on the phone with microsoft and give them the numbers you have and they will activate it for you if you are telling them the truth.

They will? I've never heard of them activating from a product ID. Have you done this? It strikes me as unlikely they would. I'd rather not spend the time to install and the time on the phone and have it not work out. But if you've done this, then I'll go for it.
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21063662 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:56:34 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21063064 JimmyCarter1 : Ok, than here is what I would do since you are sure it is the Vista DVD that came with the computer.

Install it without putting any product key in and after it is installed click on activate and get on the phone with microsoft and give them the numbers you have and they will activate it for you if you are telling them the truth..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21063064 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:22:10 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21063044 Hel :

said by JimmyCarter1

:

the guy that built it used an OEM Vista DVD

It seems to just be a retail vista disc. I tried to install with it and it asked for a key, and that was the point that I realized the thing my friend wrote down was only 20 characters instead of 25. I've got no idea why it'd be a retail disc rather than an OEM, but it is.
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21063044 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:19:25 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21062992 JimmyCarter1 : Hel said:
They gave me the vista install disc that came with the computer.

Hel, if this statement from you is true and the guy that built it used an OEM Vista DVD you don't need the Product ID or the product key to install it on an erased hard drive. After it is installed it will see the correct hard drive and MB and activate right away.

If it does anything other than what I just said it is suspicious. You don't pay retail price to put Vista on a computer when you can buy the OEM DVD way way cheaper from Newegg or any other suppliers. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21062992 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:13:08 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21062699 Hel :

said by cocothebean

:

I believe this is the site your looking for!!!
»www.dagondesign.com/articles/win···ecovery/

Yeah, I don't have ntuser.dat, unfortunately. I have a pen and paper copy of the product ID, that's all.
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21062699 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:32:47 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21062140 ChiTang : OP does not have the Digital Product ID, only the Product ID.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21062140 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:55:49 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060791 cocothebean : I believe this is the site your looking for!!!
»www.dagondesign.com/articles/win···ecovery/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060791 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:30:53 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060757 Hel :

said by ChiTang

:

I swear that I saw a thread in DSLR about a website in England that you email the producy ID, they will email you back the key. $30.00 for immediate delivey, free if you wait for 3 days. I just can't find it anymore

I know there's a site that will decode a windows password for those prices and time frames, after you run a file burnt to CD or copied to a floppy. I've googled for a similar license recovery site, but am not finding it. Thanks tho, I'll keep looking for it!
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060757 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:47:13 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060677 ChiTang : IMO, Linux is not a bad choice. I swear that I saw a thread in DSLR about a website in England that you email the producy ID, they will email you back the key. $30.00 for immediate delivey, free if you wait for 3 days. I just can't find it anymore.

If the poster of that thread see this, will you be kind enough to jump in and post the link of that website?
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060677 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:04:05 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060623 Hel :

said by ChiTang

:

Did they make a mistake in copying the number?
Did they actually copy it from the right number?
You can wait for a better solution or buy another copy. It is your money, hence it is your call.

I'm pretty sure they did copy the right number, and it's in the correct vista product ID format. I am definitely not buying another copy. If I can't recover the license, the hardware will get linux put on it and used for I don't know what, since I've already got a linux file server, firewall, and desktop. But this is a small enough and powerful enough computer to use as a media center, and since the Vista is Ultimate, I figured I'd do just that.
If I can only recover this darn license!
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060623 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:41:41 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060328 ChiTang : The potential problem that I see is that the so call "product ID" written on the disc. Is it really the product ID or just a bunch of alphanumeric characters.

Did they make a mistake in copying the number?
Did they actually copy it from the right number?

Even if you can find a way to decipher the product ID, you may not have a genuine product ID to begin with. You can wait for a better solution or buy another copy. It is your money, hence it is your call.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21060328 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:11:21 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21059953 Hel :

said by ChiTang

:

If it is name brand, may call manufacturer for a set of restore CD at minimal cost.

Sadly, no, it was built by a local computer store. The computer store says they keep no records of license keys, which seems reasonable. Their suggestion was to buy a new Vista disc, but this is Vista Ult, and a new disc is awfully expensive!

said by Its a Secret

:

Sorry, I skimmed your post too quickly, I'm a dork... :uhh:

No worries! I was kinda hoping you were suggesting it cos there was some new feature of it that'd give a license key from a product ID. *smile*
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21059953 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:56:21 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21059430 ChiTang : If it is name brand, may call manufacturer for a set of restore CD at minimal cost.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21059430 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:24:15 EDT Re: Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21059384 Its a Secret : Sorry, I skimmed your post too quickly, I'm a dork... :uhh:
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"In the future, that which is not mandatory will be illegal"]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21059384 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:15:18 EDT Re: Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21058201 Hel :

said by Its a Secret

:

Try this: »www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Thanks, but there's nothing on the hard drive for mjb to read, even if plugged into another computer. Unless MJB now has an option to enter a product ID and get back the key, which it doesn't seem to.
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21058201 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:52:25 EDT Re: Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21057293 DGDTrathole : what good will that do if they wiped the hard drive???]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21057293 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:04:31 EDT Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21056625 Its a Secret : Try this: »www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21056625 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:53:02 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21052092 Hel : The DVD is a regular vista install DVD. Sadly, no hidden keys on it.
I'll try to google for the site that recovers keys from product IDs. a 3 day wait would be fine, it's already been weeks I've been trying to solve this myself.
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21052092 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:41:31 EDT Re: [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21052058 ChiTang : Is it a name brand PC?
If it is name brand, the CD may be a restore CD/DVD.

There was a thread about 3 weeks ago, a site allows you the email in the product ID, for $30.00, they will email you back the actual key. If you don't want to pay, they will still give you the info but you have wait 3 days. I am trying to locate that post and can't find it so far. I must be getting old and blind.

Bottom line: you have to find out what is on the CD first.
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I used to be indecisive, now I am not sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21052058 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:35:22 EDT [Vista] Recover key from product ID? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21051995 Hel : A friend of mine gave me their computer after they got a mac "Cos windows is too hard to use!". They gave me the vista install disc that came with the computer, but wrote down the product id, not the actual license key, and the install disc is just in a plain white envelope, not a plastic box like the kind that have the license key in the box. There's no license sticker on the computer, my friend thinks there never was, I think they peeled it off at some point.
They'd wiped the hard drive with SecureWipe, so I can't recover the install to get the ntuser.dat file and recover the key, as google says one can do to recover the key from a non-bootable install. Is there any way to recover a key when all you have is the product key? I know there is software (for XP anyway) that if you type in a key, it will tell you what the product ID will be. Is there software that will convert the other way?
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“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."-Sinclair Lewis 1885-1951]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21051995 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:22:21 EDT