BleepingComputer.com: Finding Vista product key?

I'm about to do a fresh install on my daughters laptop to clean it up with vista home basic. but I cant make out the serial number on the base of the laptop.
I can see the activation code in the network sharing centre but imagine I will be asked for the serial number when I do the install.
Is there any way of finding the serial number?
thanks

No, as far as I know, there is no way to retrieve the product key if you can't read it (and if that's its only location). In this case, you will have to activate by phone after the clean install.

Give Microsoft a call and let them know the situation: 1-866-740-1256

When the system asks you if you have the activation window open, answer "No" (you have to speak). When it asks if you have a "Volume License Agreement", answer "Yes" (even though it isn't true). You will be transferred to a real person. Explain to them that you reformatted but can't read your product key. They should be able to get you straightened out.

I used this little utility to retrieve product keys before: Produkey Hopefully, your daughter's computer is still bootable, otherwise I think you're out of luck.

This post has been edited by strolln: 04 April 2010 - 05:36 PM

strolln, on Apr 4 2010, 05:34 PM, said:

Wow, it worked! Nice find, strolln!

Leave it to Nirsoft to have what you need...

I hope this solves your problem, eyeballs.

Hello guys, There are lots of programs available for extracting the product key from a Windows XP or Vista installation. The only problem is that they generally require the computer to be functional to run. These programs are useless if the operating system is corrupt and the computer will not boot into Windows. Fortunately, there are other options.

thanks for that, she gone to her friends for a couple of days so I'll run that program when she gets back.
I was waiting till I got a reply before I went ahead with the install

Belarc Advisor is a must have! This is free and it lists the specs for your computer. (Especially good if you have to replace harware)
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

eyeballs, on Apr 5 2010, 01:55 PM, said:

NOTE: You have to run this utility to retrieve the product key BEFORE you do the clean install. If you wait until after you do the clean install, it will be lost forever.

Jelly Bean Key Finder

I have used that and it works great.

Jacee, on Apr 5 2010, 03:09 PM, said:

That is wicked. It even gave the product keys for my installed games lol. Thanks.