Product Keys

[imported_Trippin315]

I have recently aquired a new position as first level support (woo hoo). When compiling, organizing, condensing, and getting rid of stuff in the server closet, also known as my office, I came across a bunch of O/Ss and Office suites, but low and behold, no product keys. I am looking for the way to get those off the CDs, please help

 

[MustISO]

They don't normally keep the product keys on the CD's. They might be printed on the disc or they'd be on the CD case that the disc came in.

 

[imported_Trippin315]

There are no keys anywhere to be found. I was hoping that someone knows of a hidden file on the disc that holds the key that is on the package or the jewel.

 

[spyordie007]

Generally it's your responsability to keep the licensing information. With a lot of software the license is what you're really paying for (not the CD). Fortunetly it's not uncommon for software vendors to give you your licensing information if they have it on file (assuming they can link it to you via. registration or other means).

If you cant find the licenses you should contact the vendor(s) and see if they can get you any of the information on them.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Trippin315
There are no keys anywhere to be found. I was hoping that someone knows of a hidden file on the disc that holds the key that is on the package or the jewel.

what's the software that you're looking to find the keys for anyways?

Typically it wont be on the CD like that.

 

[imported_Trippin315]

One copy on Win98SE, two copies of Win2k, two copies of Office 2K, and two copies of Office XP. They have been loaded on machines around the office and they are legal copies. I do not kknow which machines these copies are on. I would just like to have the keys should and HDD go to hell.

 

[spyordie007]

Call MS customer service. I *think* that based off the product ID listed in the help>about menu they can get your product keys (at least for the newer stuff).

For Win 98 you may be SOL.

Good Luck

 

[FrequencyX]

You might want to take a look at this
http://www.snapfiles.com/screenshots/keyfinder.htm

 

[Ichinisan]

A product key is not hidden or encrypted in the software that is on the disc. It simply requires a specific format to be valid. One disc can accept thousands of valid keys. Your unique key is not stored on the disc.

www.magicaljellybean.com has a utility which uses Microsoft's own scripts to read/replace product keys from some Microsoft software if it has already been installed on your machine.

 

[Childs]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Call MS customer service. I *think* that based off the product ID listed in the help>about menu they can get your product keys (at least for the newer stuff).

For Win 98 you may be SOL.

Good Luck

Don't do that. Your company may not have valid licenses. Just use some utility to pull it from the registry on the machines that have the software. You're new, so don't rock the boat!

 

[spyordie007]

Don't do that. Your company may not have valid licenses. Just use some utility to pull it from the registry on the machines that have the software. You're new, so don't rock the boat!

If you dont have valid licenses than you shouldnt be running the software, period. Especially in a business.

Better to call and find out the licenses are not valid so they can be replaced than continue to operate with illegal ones. Besides, if there is any chance he can get his hands on a COA he should persue it.

 

[Slowlearner]

If it is OS, use keyfinder from www.magicaljellybean.com to find the keys. The Cds will accept any valid from MSFT Manual cover.