Get Windows XP product key from Ubuntu live CD?

[Vunutus]

I need to re-install windows (surprise!) on somebody's computer. The problem is that they don't have their disc or product key. I want to retrieve the product key from the installation before I wipe it, and I'll just use my personal disc to install the files.

I know there are Windows programs one can run to get the key, but the problem here is that Windows wont boot at all (surprise again), not even in safe mode.

How can I retrieve it from a Live CD?

[Vunutus]

I've done a bit more investigation. I found plenty of key finder programs but they only run on Windows. I found one promising program that has the ability to manually select a registry hive to load. On my current system I'm dual booted with XP, so I figured I would test it out on my system first. I tried using the program in Wine. It loads up fine but when I try to load my XP registry into the program it fails with no explanation.

I would really appreciate if somebody knows any way to recover the product key from a dead windows partition. I'm hoping to be able to do it tomorrow.

[damis648]

He doesn't happen to have an OEM sticker on his computer if it is an OEM install?

[theozzlives]

What you're trying to do is in violation of the EULA and very illegal.

[Vunutus]

What you're trying to do is in violation of the EULA and very illegal.

Uh it isn't illegal to retrieve the product key of a Windows install you paid for.

[Vunutus]

He doesn't happen to have an OEM sticker on his computer if it is an OEM install?

It might, but I have no way of knowing until tomorrow.

[taurus]

Uh it isn't illegal to retrieve the product key of a Windows install you paid for.

You cannot use your own windows disk to install on somebody else's machine. That is illegal. Maybe you want to have a careful look at the EULA that comes with the disk again.

[theozzlives]

Uh it isn't illegal to retrieve the product key of a Windows install you paid for.

You're using your Windows for your computer to install on another computer. Not only that but you're hacking into Windows to get a key to do it. You may as well get it from LimeWire or something.

[theozzlives]

I got an idea to help your friend, burn him an Ubuntu CD he'll be better off.

[Vunutus]

You're using your Windows for your computer to install on another computer. Not only that but you're hacking into Windows to get a key to do it. You may as well get it from LimeWire or something.

Except his disc and my disc are the EXACT same thing. Byte for byte, there is no difference. We both legally paid for the discs. The only thing different about what we paid for is the product key. I am NOT using my product key. I am attempting to get HIS product key that he PAID FOR. It's pretty absurd to compare that to pirating the OS.

Besides, if you actually DO pirate Windows and Microsoft detects your product key as invalid they allow you to purchase another product key and use it on that installation, which ultimately means you are using a different product key than the disc you installed from, yet Microsoft allows, and encourages, it.

[theozzlives]

Except his disc and my disc are the EXACT same thing. Byte for byte, there is no difference. We both legally paid for the discs. The only thing different about what we paid for is the product key. I am NOT using my product key. I am attempting to get HIS product key that he PAID FOR. It's pretty absurd to compare that to pirating the OS.

Besides, if you actually DO pirate Windows and Microsoft detects your product key as invalid they allow you to purchase another product key and use it on that installation, which ultimately means you are using a different product key than the disc you installed from, yet Microsoft allows, and encourages, it.

I'm a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), A+, and Linux+ certified. Tell your friend to contact Microsoft Tech Support if you don't want to share the blessing of Ubuntu and open source software with him (legally). This is an Ubuntu forum, not Windows.

[Vunutus]

I'm a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), A+, and Linux+ certified. Tell your friend to contact Microsoft Tech Support if you don't want to share the blessing of Ubuntu and open source software with him. This is an Ubuntu forum, not Windows.

So you resort to trolling my topic instead of providing any helpful information? Linux is not an option for what he needs to do, and my question (if you even bothered to read it) has very much to do with Ubuntu.

[theozzlives]

So you resort to trolling my topic instead of providing any helpful information? Linux is not an option for what he needs to do, and my question (if you even bothered to read it) has very much to do with Ubuntu.

I'm a human being, and probably do anything to fix a friends computer. Here I am "The Ozz" Microsystems. I have a Windows XP computer that my fax and printers are hooked to. I'm running Windows 7 in a VirtualBox to get AOL (and for research). There are not many programs that either Linux has a replacement for, or can be run with WINE.

The only advice I can give as a professional computer tech/consultant is call Microsoft, buy Windows, or go to Ubuntu (or another Linux flavor).

[Vunutus]

I'm a human being, and probably do anything to fix a friends computer. Here I am "The Ozz" Microsystems. I have a Windows XP computer that my fax and printers are hooked to. I'm running Windows 7 in a VirtualBox to get AOL (and for research). There are not many programs that either Linux has a replacement for, or can be run with WINE.

The only advice I can give as a professional computer tech/consultant is call Microsoft, buy Windows, or go to Ubuntu (or another Linux flavor).

The main reason he uses a computer is for a digital voice recorder. The recorder in question requires a specific program to run (it will not function as USB storage), and that program will not work in Wine.

Buying another copy of Windows would be ridiculous considering he recently did just that.

[theozzlives]

The main reason he uses a computer is for a digital voice recorder. The recorder in question requires a specific program to run (it will not function as USB storage), and that program will not work in Wine.

Buying another copy of Windows would be ridiculous considering he recently did just that.

Then Google for windows+forum and try to troubleshoot the problem. You can run the live CD on his computer to get on the net, make a note of ALL error messages, etc. Then there's the option of tech support. I've spent way to much time talking about Windows here... I'm gone.

P.S. You can probably fix the current install unless it's malware.

[Scotty Bones]

I'm a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), A+, and Linux+ certified. Tell your friend to contact Microsoft Tech Support if you don't want to share the blessing) of Ubuntu and open source software with him (legally). This is an Ubuntu ti forum, not Windows.

well... A+, Net+, Security+, MCSA and CCNA here. see two can play that game :)

contrary to popular belief, installing from your own CD is fine as long as your not dealing with an OEM copy. You only cross that legal line when you insert a stolen or fraudulent key.

I would suggest using BartPE to create a bootable windows enviroment, you'll need your install disk for that. Although the key is stored in the registry, it is done so in an encrypted format. Get a copy of magical jellybean keyfinder. There may be a BartPE plug-in for it, but it might be easier to just put it on a USB key.

good luck.

[Wiebelhaus]

I got an idea to help your friend, burn him an Ubuntu CD he'll be better off.

I agree or otherwise hit up the Windows forums.

[Wiebelhaus]

I also agree with Theozzlives (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=420456)


But to answer your question , I use Linux to repair Windows machines professionally and there is no way to do what your asking to do , honestly because any professional who would need a key or have the ability to write a program to do what you need to do would have the ability to do it legitimately.

[Scotty Bones]

I also agree with Theozzlives (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=420456)


But to answer your question , I use Linux to repair Windows machines professionally and there is no way to do what your asking to do , honestly because any professional who would need a key or have the ability to write a program to do what you need to do would have the ability to do it legitimately.

Actually, the very program I mentioned to do the job is included on the Server 2003 R2 extras disk

EDIT: Although I agree with the windows forum suggestion

[Wiebelhaus]

Actually, the very program I mentioned to do the job is included on the Server 2003 R2 extras disk

EDIT: Although I agree with the windows forum suggestion

ohh yea , using BartPE and then installing Magic jelly bean is a good idea and will work , but what a pain in the **** mate , I mean geez.

But I appreciate your "Adapt and over come" mentality If I could find people like that to come and fix pc's I'd get allot more done.

[elliotn]

Ok here is how its done, this is not illegal if u purchased the disk and lost the key.

Open the cd using ur ubuntu go to a folder named i386 and scroll down to the bottom and find a .txt file named something like untaped.txt. Open it and scroll to the bottom of it u will find the serial key, it worked for me

[bacardiandwatermelon]

The best method it to use the latest hiren cd, boot into mini windows, run app called produkey (there are others you could try) select the external source and find c:\windows. It will give you a list of your installed keys on the pc including office etc.

[elliotn]

Dude my mentod has worked for me many times, the key is inside the txt file under the i836 folder. It aint a joke

[bacardiandwatermelon]

Are you talking about the unattend file? I wouldn't have thought that an OEM copy of XP would have a key in it.

[elliotn]

Yes I mean that one. It does have the key at the bottom of it.

[NicMagic]

Hi Vunutus:

I realise this topic is old and you've moved on since then but I wanted to add my 10c for anyone else who might have the same problem and submles this article.

Unfortunately you'll always get someone who throws arround qualifications while not offering any real assistance... it's just the nature of our industry.

If you can plug the drive into another windows machine you can use ProduKey from nirsoft http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html -- you'll notice 75% of the way down the page is the downloads section. This software allows you to browse for registry hives on all drives rather than just your system drive. I've used it many times in the same scenario.

FYI for those who have time and care...

Microsoft have something called "Re-imaging rights" which stipulates that us as IT Pros are legally allowed to reload a Windows install from a Volume License disc and use the VL key provided it is exactly the same version (XP PRO / Home etc.) as the one you're replacing and as long s there is a legitimate key on the system... with OEM this boils down to nothing more than the COA sticker. Even if you retrieve the key using software but dont have a COA your OEM install is invalid.

You are right, you are definitely allowed to re-install an OEM XP Pro using your OEM XP pro disc provided you use the correct key but by the nature of OEM you will only have an "HP OEM XP" or a "Dell XP PRO" and the key used on the system will require either a "Dell OEM Disc" or a "HP OEM disc" etc. based on your vendor. If you try re-install using the wrong vendors disc the product key wont work... if it's a "Vanilla" OEM disc you shouldn't have been able to buy it without a computer (Although you can still buy them on ebay :)) but even then the "Dell" or "HP" or whichever vendors key wont work...

Just saw bacardiandwatermelon recommended the same software!! :)