Lost product key. Am I hosed?

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #1

    Lost product key. Am I hosed?


    OK....I'm pretty sure I'm hosed, but here is my situation:

    My laptop (Compaq f755US) came with Vista. I received a legal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from a guy I worked with, at the time, who had a subscription to MSDN. It is a download that was put on a disk. Now my laptop has crashed. Cant even get into it in Safe Mode. I need to re-install the OS, but I cant find the product key ANYWHERE.
    Does anyone know if there is anything I can do? Or am I as hosed as I think I am?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #2

    WIN + Pause/Break key combo

    You will see Product ID there. Is that what you desire?

    WIN is the key with the wavy flag.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #3

    Hanshotfirst,

    Oh yes, Welcome to SevenForums.

    If that doesn't give you what you want, then use Belarc Security Advisor.
    Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #4

    It is not a legal copy of Windows 7. MSDN software keys are non-transferable.

    Furthermore using an MSDN activated version of Windows can only be used:
    Many MSDN subscribers use a computer for mixed use—both design, development, testing, and demonstration of your programs (the use allowed under the MSDN subscription license) and some other use. Using the software in any other way, such as for doing email, playing games, or editing a document is another use and is not covered by the MSDN subscription license. When this happens, the underlying operating system must also be licensed normally by purchasing a regular copy of Windows such as the one that came with a new OEM PC.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    logicearth -
    That is news to me. He told me they were his to use as he saw fit as long as he didn't sell them. Seems a little odd to me that he would be given a large number of licenses for all of those products if they could only be used in that manner.

    karlsnooks - I had Belarc Advisor. Unfortunatwely I cant get past the blue screen of death. Even in Safe Mode. So I have no access to it
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #6

    Make a system repair disc. This everyone should do.

    Boot into SafeMode.

    Go to an elevated command prompt and run SFC /SCANNOW

    Keep running it until you get a clean bill of health from SFC
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    hanshotfirst said:
    logicearth -
    That is news to me. He told me they were his to use as he saw fit as long as he didn't sell them. Seems a little odd to me that he would be given a large number of licenses for all of those products if they could only be used in that manner.

    karlsnooks - I had Belarc Advisor. Unfortunatwely I cant get past the blue screen of death. Even in Safe Mode. So I have no access to it
    Trust me, he is telling you the truth. First off...when you buy MSDN or Technet...you cannot give your keys away to other people. Even people who work at your company. These are personal keys. If multiple people need to use the software, multiple copies of of MSDN need to be purchased.

    And as you can see, MSDN is not a free-for-all to do whatever you want with the software. These licenses are intended for development use.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    karlsnooks said:
    Make a system repair disc. This everyone should do.

    Boot into SafeMode.

    Go to an elevated command prompt and run SFC /SCANNOW

    Keep running it until you get a clean bill of health from SFC
    How do I make a system repair disc for a machine that wont boot up at all? Is it possible?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #9

    Get back to me when you've run SFC /SCANNOW three times.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 47
    Windows 7 Pro x64
       #10

    Use Magic Jellybean www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

    It even works in Safe Mode :)
      My Computer


 
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