Lost cd key for Windows Vista Home Premium

Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all before but this
is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade
disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs he had to
open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped the cd key
for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding the key
legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from Microsoft and if
so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.

The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to locate
the key.

If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail key is
affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to lose.
If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar


"dogstar41" <> wrote in message
news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
> Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all before
> but this
> is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium
> Upgrade
> disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs he
> had to
> open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped
> the cd key
> for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding
> the key
> legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
> Microsoft and if
> so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.

Thanx Jupiter
That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so ripped it to
shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away and just
kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the os agsin??

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:

> The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to locate
> the key.
>
> If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail key is
> affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to lose.
> If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
> If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
>
>
> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
> news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
> > Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all before
> > but this
> > is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium
> > Upgrade
> > disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs he
> > had to
> > open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped
> > the cd key
> > for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding
> > the key
> > legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
> > Microsoft and if
> > so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.
>
>

Was it OEM or retail?

For retail, if you open the package and throw the package away, there
is only the DVD and documentation, no box.
OEM does not come in a box.
However OEM is shrink wrapped with the Product Key on the wrapper.

You may also try:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246
But don't get your hopes to high.

You may need to buy again.
The key that is missing is really what you paid for.
The media is easier to replace.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar



"dogstar41" <> wrote in message
news:E985AA53-8867-4663-8A48-...
> Thanx Jupiter
> That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so ripped
> it to
> shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away and
> just
> kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the os
> agsin??

YEP.



"dogstar41" <> wrote in message
news:E985AA53-8867-4663-8A48-...
> Thanx Jupiter
> That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so ripped it to
> shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away and just
> kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the os
> agsin??
>
> "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to locate
>> the key.
>>
>> If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail key is
>> affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to lose.
>> If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
>> If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.
>>
>> --
>> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
>>
>>
>> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>> news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
>> > Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all before
>> > but this
>> > is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium
>> > Upgrade
>> > disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs he
>> > had to
>> > open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped
>> > the cd key
>> > for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding
>> > the key
>> > legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
>> > Microsoft and if
>> > so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.
>>
>>

Damn. Oh well just have to keep on using Xp that is NOT working well. Now
that's a good story...........

"Robert Martin" wrote:

> YEP.
>
>
>
> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
> news:E985AA53-8867-4663-8A48-...
> > Thanx Jupiter
> > That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so ripped it to
> > shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away and just
> > kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the os
> > agsin??
> >
> > "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to locate
> >> the key.
> >>
> >> If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail key is
> >> affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to lose.
> >> If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
> >> If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> >> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
> >>
> >>
> >> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
> >> news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
> >> > Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all before
> >> > but this
> >> > is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium
> >> > Upgrade
> >> > disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs he
> >> > had to
> >> > open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped
> >> > the cd key
> >> > for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding
> >> > the key
> >> > legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
> >> > Microsoft and if
> >> > so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.
> >>
> >>
>

Jupiter said open, or look on the back of, the CASE, meaning the case of the
computer upon which Vista is installed. If it's a lapt top, the key is
affixed to the bottom, and rather obvious, at least it is on my Dell.

--
The personal opinion of
Gary G. Little

"dogstar41" <> wrote in message
news:21C7D94F-9EBB-4B70-83B1-...
> Damn. Oh well just have to keep on using Xp that is NOT working well. Now
> that's a good story...........
>
> "Robert Martin" wrote:
>
>> YEP.
>>
>>
>>
>> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>> news:E985AA53-8867-4663-8A48-...
>> > Thanx Jupiter
>> > That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so ripped it
>> > to
>> > shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away and
>> > just
>> > kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the os
>> > agsin??
>> >
>> > "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to locate
>> >> the key.
>> >>
>> >> If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail key is
>> >> affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to lose.
>> >> If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
>> >> If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>> >> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
>> >> > Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all before
>> >> > but this
>> >> > is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium
>> >> > Upgrade
>> >> > disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs he
>> >> > had to
>> >> > open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped
>> >> > the cd key
>> >> > for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding
>> >> > the key
>> >> > legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
>> >> > Microsoft and if
>> >> > so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.
>> >>
>> >>
>>

No, I was meaning the case retail Vista is with.
Open the case and look on the back with the case open.
There is the key for retail Windows Vista.
"A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade
disc"
That suggests it is retail since OEM upgrade may not be available.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar



"Gary G. Little" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Jupiter said open, or look on the back of, the CASE, meaning the
> case of the computer upon which Vista is installed. If it's a lapt
> top, the key is affixed to the bottom, and rather obvious, at least
> it is on my Dell.
>
> --
> The personal opinion of
> Gary G. Little
>
> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
> news:21C7D94F-9EBB-4B70-83B1-...
>> Damn. Oh well just have to keep on using Xp that is NOT working
>> well. Now
>> that's a good story...........
>>
>> "Robert Martin" wrote:
>>
>>> YEP.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>>> news:E985AA53-8867-4663-8A48-...
>>> > Thanx Jupiter
>>> > That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so
>>> > ripped it to
>>> > shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away
>>> > and just
>>> > kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the
>>> > os
>>> > agsin??
>>> >
>>> > "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to
>>> >> locate
>>> >> the key.
>>> >>
>>> >> If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail
>>> >> key is
>>> >> affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to
>>> >> lose.
>>> >> If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
>>> >> If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>>> >> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> "dogstar41" <> wrote in
>>> >> message
>>> >> news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
>>> >> > Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all
>>> >> > before
>>> >> > but this
>>> >> > is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home
>>> >> > Premium
>>> >> > Upgrade
>>> >> > disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru
>>> >> > customs he
>>> >> > had to
>>> >> > open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have
>>> >> > dropped
>>> >> > the cd key
>>> >> > for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of
>>> >> > finding
>>> >> > the key
>>> >> > legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
>>> >> > Microsoft and if
>>> >> > so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in
>>> >> > advance.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>>
>
>

my oem version that that the product id on the back of dvd case.

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:983B1BA1-3FA0-4141-99FB-...
> No, I was meaning the case retail Vista is with.
> Open the case and look on the back with the case open.
> There is the key for retail Windows Vista.
> "A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade
> disc"
> That suggests it is retail since OEM upgrade may not be available.
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
>
>
>
> "Gary G. Little" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Jupiter said open, or look on the back of, the CASE, meaning the case of
>> the computer upon which Vista is installed. If it's a lapt top, the key
>> is affixed to the bottom, and rather obvious, at least it is on my Dell.
>>
>> --
>> The personal opinion of
>> Gary G. Little
>>
>> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>> news:21C7D94F-9EBB-4B70-83B1-...
>>> Damn. Oh well just have to keep on using Xp that is NOT working well.
>>> Now
>>> that's a good story...........
>>>
>>> "Robert Martin" wrote:
>>>
>>>> YEP.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:E985AA53-8867-4663-8A48-...
>>>> > Thanx Jupiter
>>>> > That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so ripped it
>>>> > to
>>>> > shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away and
>>>> > just
>>>> > kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the os
>>>> > agsin??
>>>> >
>>>> > "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> >> The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to locate
>>>> >> the key.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail key
>>>> >> is
>>>> >> affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to lose.
>>>> >> If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
>>>> >> If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> --
>>>> >> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>>>> >> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>>>> >> news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
>>>> >> > Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all
>>>> >> > before
>>>> >> > but this
>>>> >> > is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home
>>>> >> > Premium
>>>> >> > Upgrade
>>>> >> > disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs
>>>> >> > he
>>>> >> > had to
>>>> >> > open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped
>>>> >> > the cd key
>>>> >> > for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding
>>>> >> > the key
>>>> >> > legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
>>>> >> > Microsoft and if
>>>> >> > so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Interesting, I never thought about the Product Key. I have a HP with Vista
Premium. When purchased a couple of months ago I made the backup CD's and
thought I was done. I just looked on the computer and there it is, the
Product # and the Serial Number so I guess that is what I would need in case
something happened.


"Gary G. Little" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Jupiter said open, or look on the back of, the CASE, meaning the case of
> the computer upon which Vista is installed. If it's a lapt top, the key is
> affixed to the bottom, and rather obvious, at least it is on my Dell.
>
> --
> The personal opinion of
> Gary G. Little
>
> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
> news:21C7D94F-9EBB-4B70-83B1-...
>> Damn. Oh well just have to keep on using Xp that is NOT working well. Now
>> that's a good story...........
>>
>> "Robert Martin" wrote:
>>
>>> YEP.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>>> news:E985AA53-8867-4663-8A48-...
>>> > Thanx Jupiter
>>> > That is the problem he had to open the case and in doing so ripped it
>>> > to
>>> > shreads to get it open and without thinking chucked the box away and
>>> > just
>>> > kept the actual cd holder. Are you saying that I have to buy the os
>>> > agsin??
>>> >
>>> > "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> The key is not on the media in any form so there is no way to locate
>>> >> the key.
>>> >>
>>> >> If the key was so easily lost, it must be OEM since the retail key is
>>> >> affixed to the case in a way making it nearly impossible to lose.
>>> >> If it is retail, open the case and look on the back.
>>> >> If OEM, contact the seller on the slim chance they can help.
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>>> >> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> "dogstar41" <> wrote in message
>>> >> news:70966778-B845-464A-B24C-...
>>> >> > Hi all. Now this is going to sound like you have heard it all
>>> >> > before
>>> >> > but this
>>> >> > is the truth. A friend of mine bought me Windows Vista Home Premium
>>> >> > Upgrade
>>> >> > disc when he went to the USA a week ago. While going thru customs
>>> >> > he
>>> >> > had to
>>> >> > open all sealed boxes in his hand luggage and he must have dropped
>>> >> > the cd key
>>> >> > for the vista disc. I was wondering if there is any way of finding
>>> >> > the key
>>> >> > legally or if it is possible just to purchase a new key from
>>> >> > Microsoft and if
>>> >> > so how would I go about this. Thanx for all your help in advance.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>>
>
>