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Trying to recover my Certificate of Authenticity RRS feed

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    My CoA is required to finalize the deal that lets me upgrade from XP to Vista for free, but when I went to the library to try to submit that information, I wound up not being able to figure out how to do it and losing the CoA somehow!

    I tried two methods so far:

    I used regedit.exe, and went through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion and looked for a folder called ProductKey, but apparently, the folder doesn't exist in Windows XP like it does in the previous versions.

    I tried another method which was the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool, and have managed to recover over half of my CoA (which I found out later was identical to my product key.)

    I know all the reasons the product key is this difficult to find, because Windows XP has suffered several piracy issues in the past. I can submit any form of proof that my EMachines T5212 system from Best Buy is in-fact legitimate, and would like to know if there is any way I can fully recover my CoA, if it is my product key.

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    Edit: It turns out I have been misled somehow; the 25-digit Product Key is not what I seek, but the 14 digit COA number that was on the side of the Certificate of Authenticity that I had misplaced! This is a completely different number, and I should do more research on how to recover it, unless there is no way.

    Thursday, February 22, 2007 11:52 AM

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    Sorry.  I misread your 'edit' in your post.

    The COA label affixed in the machine or in a thin user pamphlet.  If you lost it, contact the vendor of your computer (show the Proof of Purchase and the tag # e.g. service tag #), that should allow them to check their records.  Some manufacturers/vendors keep records of the Product Keys they've sold, you might give it a try instead of buying new one.

    Thursday, February 22, 2007 12:37 PM

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    Glad to know you resolved it!

     

    Thursday, February 22, 2007 12:20 PM
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    Actually, I am still unable to resolve it; maybe I was unclear as to what I was saying. I am asking if there are alternate methods towards finding the 14-digit Certificate of Authenticity Number that is assigned to my product. What steps would I have to take?
    Thursday, February 22, 2007 12:27 PM
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    Sorry.  I misread your 'edit' in your post.

    The COA label affixed in the machine or in a thin user pamphlet.  If you lost it, contact the vendor of your computer (show the Proof of Purchase and the tag # e.g. service tag #), that should allow them to check their records.  Some manufacturers/vendors keep records of the Product Keys they've sold, you might give it a try instead of buying new one.

    Thursday, February 22, 2007 12:37 PM
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     Donna Buenaventura wrote:

    Sorry.  I misread your 'edit' in your post.

    The COA label affixed in the machine or in a thin user pamphlet.  If you lost it, contact the vendor of your computer (show the Proof of Purchase and the tag # e.g. service tag #), that should allow them to check their records.  Some manufacturers/vendors keep records of the Product Keys they've sold, you might give it a try instead of buying new one.

    my certificate of authenticity is 00043-592-950-450
    Tuesday, November 6, 2007 12:12 AM
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     Donna Buenaventura wrote:

    Sorry.  I misread your 'edit' in your post.

    The COA label affixed in the machine or in a thin user pamphlet.  If you lost it, contact the vendor of your computer (show the Proof of Purchase and the tag # e.g. service tag #), that should allow them to check their records.  Some manufacturers/vendors keep records of the Product Keys they've sold, you might give it a try instead of buying new one.

    this starter pack is a knew one for a computer for gaming only i need a 25 character autenticity code i have 14 digit code and want the rest to activate windows xp home edition please the code i have is 00043-592-950-450 please
    Tuesday, November 6, 2007 12:19 AM
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    i didnt recive my purchase tania! i want to see purchase type
    Friday, May 30, 2008 7:56 AM
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    Friday, May 30, 2008 3:16 PM