Product Key

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Linda - 27 Apr 2004 16:57 GMT

I tried to restore my old computer to its original
condition so that I could let my grandchildren use it
without having all of my "added info" showing up. Now it
asks for the Product Key on the Certificate of
Authenticity. That was years ago--I don't have any idea
where those papers are. Can anyone help?

Reply to this Message

Ron Badour - 27 Apr 2004 18:38 GMT

The W98 ProductKey is generally found on the Windows user manual, the
certificate of authenticity, a sticker on the PC or a sticker on the sleeve
or jewel case the Windows CD came in. The Key also might be available from
the system.

If the system is working in either safe or normal mode:

Open regedit.exe to this key and look in the right pane for the entry
ProductKey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

If the system is not working, start the computer with a floppy startup disk.

At the A: prompt, type: C:\Windows\Command\Find /N "ProductKey"
C:\Windows\System.dat
(Note: ProductKey must be typed in upper and lower case letters as shown
and there is a space after: "Find" after: "/N" and after:
"ProductKey"

If the hard drive has been formatted, US customers can contact Microsoft at:
1 800 642-7676. They will issue retail and OEM product keys after verifying
data located on the W98 CD.

Signature

Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

> I tried to restore my old computer to its original
> condition so that I could let my grandchildren use it
> without having all of my "added info" showing up. Now it
> asks for the Product Key on the Certificate of
> Authenticity. That was years ago--I don't have any idea
> where those papers are. Can anyone help?

Reply to this Message

anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com - 29 Apr 2004 21:56 GMT

Right click on my computer and the product ket should show
there
j

>-----Original Message-----
>I tried to restore my old computer to its original
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>where those papers are. Can anyone help?
>.

Reply to this Message

Ron Badour - 29 Apr 2004 22:24 GMT

No it doesn't--see my reply

Signature

Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

> Right click on my computer and the product ket should show
> there
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> >where those papers are. Can anyone help?
> >.

Reply to this Message