how can i tell the activation code used on a XP pro computer?

[mcveigh]

A friend is getting lots of lue screens in XP pro, I looked at it and fixed a few problems, (it never did the blue screen with me) he wants me to reinstall for him, I think the copy of XP he has is illegal (from a shady PCtech). how can I ....
a)find out the activation code to reinstall if need be.
b) find out if it's valid before I reinstall.

thanks!

 

[RalfHutter]

Download "Getprodkey". Run it. If the CD-key that it retrieves looks like ths: "FCKGW-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-2B7Q8" he's running a pirated OS. Kick him in the nuts real hard and make him go buy a legal version.

 

[mcveigh]

thanks!

is that the key one of the corporate ones floating around?

 

[boi]

Yep, that's the most used pirated key.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: RalfHutter
Download "Getprodkey". Run it. If the CD-key that it retrieves looks like ths: "FCKGW-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-2B7Q8" he's running a pirated OS. Kick him in the nuts real hard and make him go buy a legal version.

I was thinking that program would pull the whole key, too bad it only pulls the first and last 5 digits.

Not that it matters as I have the real thing with the CD key right here at my desk, but even so...

-Spy

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
I was thinking that program would pull the whole key, too bad it only pulls the first and last 5 digits.

-Spy

You can hack it so it shows all 25 digits.

 

[Saltin]

You can hack it so it shows all 25 digits.

The guys at Arstechnica were able to do this. I don't understand the modifications they made to the code, but man, what a security hole that is!

Imagine being a user in a corporate environment and running that version on your box (assuming you had permissions). Viola, one corporate key. I don't know how MS is going to justify holding companies accountable for the secrecy of thier keys when things like this can be so easily done.

 

[mcveigh]

got a link?

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: mcveigh
got a link?

Yes.

 

[mcveigh]

"FCKGW-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-2B7Q8"

on home and work computer...so I can kick him in the nuts right?

actually I'm ticked at the guy who installed XP for him. I am having to clean up a lot of his crappy work all over the place.
I'm betting he charged him $150 bucks for XP and pocketed the money himself:|

if you don't like the MS tax then switch to something else.

thanks for you help everybody!