prod key for compaq

[dondrd]

My wife is the proud owner of a Compaq Presario laptop with a lost (XP)OS prod key. We have all the discs but the label was on the Compaq manual and we can't find the manual. Can the key be found on either the Compaq OS disc or restore set? The laptop is less than a year old. Someone tried to connect her to a network where she works and it was all downhill from there.

Don

ANd I don't use this laptop so I don't know much about it-I just pay for it mentally and monetarily.

[bdunn]

Sorry but your out of luck. Will it boot even into safe mode? If you can get it to boot even into safe mode download (removed by moderator)and run it. It is not a big program and might even fit on a floppy.

Good Luck
Bruce.

[Panama Red]

Discussion of key finders is forbidden on PC Mech. Please refer to the rules. Closed by moderator.

[glc]

I think we have a misunderstanding here - key FINDERS are perfectly legal but key GENERATORS are not. Thread reopened.

If you can get it into safe mode, you can install Belarc Advisor or Magical Jellybean - this will read the key out of the registry for you. There is no way to read the key directly off the CD, sorry.

Compaq should have applied the key sticker to the bottom of the laptop, not the manual.

Then again, if you can get it into safe mode, you can do a system restore.

[bdunn]

Thanks glc. I didn't think that keyfinders are illegal. I cannot tell you how many people have bought me PCs to look at where the sticker is on the PC and damaged to the point where one or two characters are not readable.

If you want my true opinion about compaq machines I agree with the folks at http://www.compaqsucks.com

[glc]

The only Compaqs that suck are the consumer grade machines - specifically Presarios. They are built to compete with the other low grade cheap trash out there. Their business boxes are solid. I have customers running servers, Deskpros, and Prosignias - and Armada laptops - that are rock solid. They did pay a pretty penny for them - you get what you pay for.

[Panama Red]

My apology for the misunderstanding. And thanks to glc for the correction. Another member brought this to my attention which prompted a PM to glc for clarification. Just another example of how no one person has all the answers and how, as a group, we can all help each other. Again, I'm sorry for the confusion.