Ad: Apple Accessories, now at Staples

Dell forum: Windows product key

by: Kate377 August 21, 2012 7:12 AM PDT

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Resolved question

Windows product key

by Kate377 - 8/21/12 7:12 AM

Preinstalled Windows Vista Home Basic on kids laptop has stopped working and no product key to be found anywhere on laptop or original packaging/documents. Can I get one/buy one that will work without having to reinstall windows and lose all their (un-backed up!) files?


Kate377 has chosen the best answer to his/her question!
Click here to view the answer that was selected.

Answer This
Ask for clarification
Report offensive post
Email to friend
Answers
Answer Best answer as chosen by user Kate377

Re: product key

by Kees_B Moderator - 8/21/12 7:25 AM

In Reply to: Windows product key by Kate377

What would you want to do with that product key once you found it? Or, put otherwise, how do you suppose it to work?

What we usually advice:
1. Boot from a Ubuntu Live disc (free download) and copy all those files you forgot to backup to an external disk, and then to your own PC.
2. Do the prescribed system recovery to go back to factory conditions. This won't need the product key.

Kees


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Re: product key

by Kate377 - 8/21/12 7:35 AM

In Reply to: Re: product key by Kees_B Moderator

I need the product key because that is what Windows is asking me for before I can get past that screen. Without windows opening I can't download or open anything apart from Microsoft website so I am a bit stuck!


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Product key

by pgc3 - 8/21/12 8:06 AM

In Reply to: Re: product key by Kate377

You didn't mention manufacturer of the unit, a call to them could bear fruit but I am sure it would cost. Have you attempted to boot into safe mode? The first step with a laptop is generally a simple memory reset, shut down, remove battery, wait a minute, replace battery, restart but I fear that won't do anything in this case. The option that Kees mentioned might resolve the issue but would require a download from another system to FD or CD and that is certainly worth a try.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Re: product key

by Kees_B Moderator - 8/21/12 1:26 PM

In Reply to: Product key by pgc3

- What screen is "that screen"? And how can Windows ask for a product key when the usual system recovery is a process outside Windows (it boots from a CD, DVD or special partition)?
- How do you open 'a Microsoft website' without running Windows? And why would you need to open a Microsoft website? Or any website for that matter?

Kees


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are requesting a clarification of the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Clarification Request Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are posting an answer to the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Answer Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close
close

Click here to be notified via e-mail when someone submits an answer.

Would you like to resolve this question? close

Based on your response, it looks like this question has been answered.



Sorry, there was a problem resolving this question. Please try again.

Resolve Leave unresolved