authentication key???

I have a compaq presario. It's about 6 years old. I used the emergency recovery disk that came with it to reformat windows. Windows prompts me to give authenticity code, however the windows manuel with the code on it is lost. Any suggestions?

 

Closely examine all over the computers case. Should be a sticker on it somewhere. If not, you'll have to contact Compaq.

 

If its not on the case, id be calling compaq.

They should be able to give you a code if you give them the machine model and serial number.

 

If it is not too late (and it probably is) you can find your Windows key from the registry. On my machine it is: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion and in there is a ProductKey field. Alternatively you may be able to look at an old registry for this key.

 

that isn't going to work.

 

Tell us how you really feel!!


Danny..may need to buy new software..
and if the PC is 6 years old..mya be time for an upgrade....

 

I owned a Compaq once. Called them for tech support about 6 months after I bought the computer. They said they could not help me because my free tech support had EXPIRED. I suggest you visit this site http://www.compaqsucks.com

 

Compaq's Tech support is evil
I work in a shop where they sell compaq's Though its in Australia so it might just be alittle better then compaq in America

I have waited 2 1/2 hours to get through to people before on the phone with them.

They are completely hopeless, but then so are most the other Major Companies.

 

Hummmm. I dunno, but every machine I've ever used it's "recovery" or "restore" disks on, I've never been prompted to enter the Windows product key. However, other machines that came with a Windows O/S disk and then the seperate "drivers" and "application" disks, I have been prompted for the key. Has anyone else found this to be untrue? So I'm kinda wondering if someone was just looking for a key crack here.

 

Thanks for the heads up AbbySue. I've restored only a few machines that had XP. One an Emachine, and one an HP. Didn't need the key for them. But from now on, I'll make darn sure the key is available, or pull it from the registry before hand.
That would be a bummer to run a restore disk on someones machine, and have no key after the drive has been erased

 

yeah, you're english sucks..

on topic: I've never had the pleasure of restoring a PC and it NOT asking for the key... HP, Compaq.. nada..

 

P.S. My apologies for the insinuation towards the poster.

 

Alot of the older Brand machines you had to put the cd key in. Up until windows me. But then most of them you don't need the key, even though its still stuck to the side of the machine

 

Some where in MGs downloads is a prog called 'Magic Jellybean'
It finds the key for the os on your machine.
I cant find where it is so i found the web site for it.

Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v1.41
http://www.magicaljellybean.com

Hope it helps.