Determine Product Key From Unbootable Hard Drive

AddRAM · 29 Jun 2014

Yes, get any drivers you need from Asus. If you have a red X through the network icon at the bottom right, you need to get the network (LAN) drivers, once you install those you can start running windows update, but I`m sure you`ll have to get 1 or 2 more drivers from Asus.

Right the key down using ink, put it in a zip lock bag and tape it to the inside of the case.

Once you have all the drivers you need from Asus, you could put those on a cd and put that in the bag too.

gregrocker · 29 Jun 2014

Enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) then run all rounds of Important and Optional Updates except Bing, with reboots, until there are no more offered when you go back to Check for Updates.

This will provide most drivers and important patches to make them work better. So it needs to be done right off. Only after all Updates are done should you import any missing drivers from Asus, unless you need the network driver to get to Updates.

You can set up your desktop and other things while they're installing, even install some programs. But I'd pace myself so that you can monitor performance after each reboot.

jumanji · 29 Jun 2014

Just for Information:

The Windows Registry Recovery Window will show the Product Name, Product ID ( If it is OEM the OEM string will be there in it) and also Product version apart from the Product Key.. I hope you have taken a screenshot and kept as advised.

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Next you can find your Windows version from the licence.rtf file which is in Windows > System 32.

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All this on your faulty drive. There is no way that the information presented by Windows Registry Recovery can go wrong since it is extracted from the Registry.

I hope everything goes on well, unless it is some TechNet Key ( I forget the exact name). If you send a PM to NoelDP with the Key, he may be able advise on the nature of the key)

Also you may be aware, if it is a OEM System Builder key, the activation is tied up to the original machine id - which is already present in the MS activation servers - and the activation will go through only on that machine.

boweasel · 30 Jun 2014

You guys have been great! With GR's tip about the drivers and windows updates, I only had to get the Ethernet driver from ASUS. The rest just came in with the updates. Have activated Windows, installed all the updates, minus Bing and Silverlight, re-integrated her desktop background photo and copied all her pictures, documents and music from the external drive where I was storing them. The PC is running beautifully.

This undertaking would have been impossible without the assistance of this forum. Thanks again.

gregrocker · 30 Jun 2014

Glad to hear it!

Did it activate with no problems?

boweasel · 30 Jun 2014

gregrocker said:

Glad to hear it!

Did it activate with no problems?

Yup. After the ethernet driver was installed I waited 'till all the updates were complete (and when you think they're finally complete - just wait 5 minutes and they'll be a whole new set), then I activated online. It took all of 30 seconds. I double checked by right-clicking Computer and left-clicking Properties.

I wish I could double the reputations I've given.

jumanji · 30 Jun 2014

I am happy to see the tick mark against this thread. Well done.