Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win2000.setup (More info?)

If Windows 2000 came with your computer, the certificate of authenticity
will be on a sticker stuck to the side or base of your machine.

Oli


"sheldon" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:09a701c4973b$3acacb50$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> I cannot find the registration code to do a clean install
> for my Windows 2000 professional disk. Where mignt I be
> able to get it?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win2000.setup (More info?)

sheldon wrote:
> I cannot find the registration code to do a clean install
> for my Windows 2000 professional disk. Where mignt I be
> able to get it?


The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM (factory
installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer
affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of a laptop.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use Belarc
Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html to find the
Product Key. (If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and
haven't since reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably
of the drive image used at the factory and not _your_ specific Product
Key; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not
be -- used for a re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/defau [...] -us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of
the Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy
a new license.

--

Bruce Chambers

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