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12-25-2004, 01:49 PM
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#1 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: essex
Posts: 2,252
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recover xp cd key
how to recover a xp cd key from a unbootable system
you know the scenario your computers playing up and you need to reinstall xp only problem is you did not keep the licence sticker and now you cant boot windows to find the key. so what do you do ? well i worked it out and am posting the info to help any one with the same problems first you will need some things 1 a working xp computer of the same version ie home or pro 2 a bartpe boot cd http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ 3 keyfinder.exe from http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml 4 LoadHive from http://www.matcode.com/codes.htm 5 some floppy disks then 6. Booted dead system from PE CD. 7. put LoadHive on a floppy. 8. Ran it from the floppy in PE, loaded C:\WINDOWS\System32\Config\software ... it mounted the hive as SOFTWARE_00. 9. Ran regedit, found the SOFTWARE_00 subkey and navigated to CurrentVerion, exported that subkey to the floppy. 10. I moved to a working XP machine, backed up my DigitalProductId key. I edited the reg file from the floppy to only contain the DigitalProductId key. 11. I merged the DigitalProductId key from the floppy, ran Keyfinder (Magic Jellybean Software) and it pulled the key ! 12. I merged the backup I made and ran Keyfinder again, and sure enough it showed my original key. hope this helps some one merry Xmas and a happy new year andy
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12-25-2004, 02:48 PM
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#2 |
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Member (14 bit)
Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Great NorthWest
Posts: 12,594
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Thanks for the tip! It's so much "work," however, that I hope I never need to recover my key
 -- but it's nice to know how! 
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12-25-2004, 05:40 PM
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#3 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA
Posts: 251
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Thanks for the tip I will file this with the other neet stuff you may never know when u will need it. If I do I think I'll shoot the PC
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Silenx 520w <14 dBA Pro iXtrema PSU/Asus P4C800-E-Deluxe/2 GB 4(512) Corsair TWINX1024-3500LLPRO w/LED Display/Intel P4 478 3.40 GHz 800 FSB ATI (Asus) 9800 XT 256 MB DDR/Creative Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro/(2) Seagate 120 GB Barracuda 7200RPM 8MB Cache SATA (RAID-0)/Sony DVD±RW DRU540A/Sony DVD±RW DRU530A/Sony 16X DVD 40X CD-ROM DDU1621/xp pro SP2  If it ain't broke find out why |
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12-30-2004, 06:15 PM
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#4 |
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Folding For PCMech
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Dimas, CA
Posts: 3,136
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Very nice work! I'll have to keep this one handy just in case.
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12-31-2004, 05:16 AM
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#5 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: gtr manchester uk
Posts: 6
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will this work on a working system as it would be handy to know in advance as i only have a hp recovery system installed on the hdd :-)
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12-31-2004, 07:54 AM
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#6 | |
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Served with Pride
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: near the left coast of Michigan
Posts: 14,654
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Quote:
http://www.sisoftware.net/ http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
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Getting old is not for sissies! |
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12-31-2004, 10:13 AM
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#7 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: gtr manchester uk
Posts: 6
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tried the belarc and wow what a program thanks for that.. :-) glenn
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01-01-2005, 07:33 PM
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#8 | |
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Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Memphis, Tn
Posts: 1,828
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Quote:
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Carl Have you noticed? Despite the high cost of living it is still the most popular option available. Integrity is it's own reward! The rarest animal in the world is a liberal using his own money. It is easy to be a liberal when the result of your politics still leaves you very well-off. Try letting all that spending hurt and you'll see how many folks are for it! Last edited by Carl Price; 01-01-2005 at 07:34 PM. Reason: spelling |
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01-03-2005, 04:10 PM
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#9 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 902
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something a little easier
I have yet to do this, but from what I read, I see no reason why it wouldn't work.
There is a file named WPA.dbl in (I believe) the windows system 32 folder (just do a search). If you save thaT file on a floppy etc,,,, when ever you have to reload XP, you just swap out the new WPA with the saved one. and it will act as though nothing ever happened. What you can't do is, swap a WPA with a different xp load (trying to circumvent activation). To do that, what you need to do is,,, ahhh just kidden ya. Not about the wpa though. That will work. I shsould post this as a tip. |
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01-04-2005, 12:13 AM
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#10 |
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Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 41,159
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The wpa.dbl file will not help you get past entering the CD key on a fresh install - that's what this thread is about, it's not about activation.
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01-04-2005, 05:31 PM
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#11 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 902
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how right you are, sorry about that.
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01-12-2005, 05:07 PM
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#12 |
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Member (1 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1
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Hey I'd just like to say that I had a problem where I lost my XP key, and couldn't boot into Windows to get my key back. After looking around online for a bit I came across this thread. I used Andy's method, and it works GREAT. Thank you so much for the instructions!! I did steps 10-12 a little bit differently, but that's it. I also must say that PEBuilder is an excellent program, I was happy to discover it. There's all kinds of things you could use it for. If anyone has any questions about how I got it to work feel free to email me. Thanks again Andy.
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05-17-2005, 02:47 PM
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#13 |
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Member (1 bit)
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1
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Thanks For The Data
Consequently, I have decided it would be simpler to have my key code tattooed to my thigh instead...LOL
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05-17-2005, 06:23 PM
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#14 |
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Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 41,159
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That's why OEM XP CD's come with a sticker that you are supposed to put on your computer case.
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09-21-2005, 05:41 AM
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#15 |
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Member (9 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Posts: 273
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i think there is usually a esier solution for some users the oems the winxp comes with a manual and on the back of it there is a COA number, now i do noit mind having to type the authentication number because now i can read it without problems.
Not sure if the install/upgrade CD itself has a manual with the same at the back? Like my teacher said: allways keep the manual. |
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09-22-2005, 12:15 PM
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#16 |
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Member (1 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1
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ran belarc great programe thanks
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