certificate of authenticity (COA) - finding product key of Dell notebook system when COA product key is worn and illegible

I want to reformat my notebook PC HD and reinstall the Windows Vista OS from the original install DVD and I understand I may be prompted for the product key. The product key is located on the certificate of authenticity (COA) affixed underneath the notebook PC. Unfortunately the product key is worn and some of its characters are illegible. Can I find the COA product key from other sources?

Thanks for reading and any information.

 

If you use the Dell installation media that came with your machine, you shouldn't need to use the product key. If you're using vanilla installation media, you will...

 

Interesting...I'll try to install the OS and see what happens. The reason I asked about the product key is another reference on reformatting the HD and re-installing the OS from the original install DVD stated I would be asked for the product key on the COA. Before reading the reference, I had the same opinion as you that the product key was not needed. Even if I don't need the product key to re-install the OS, I'd like to find it and keep it in a safe place in the event I need it for other applications.

Thanks for the information.

 

Wolf is on the mark, 99.9% of the time Dells will preactivate as it detects the BIOS tattoo. Sometimes it will not activate with the recovery media (if you borrow it from another computer). More prevalent on Windows 7/Vista. You would have to try another Dell disc, or order it from Dell (sometimes you will need to live with older versions like SP1 Vista image).

 

Keyfinder | Magical Jelly Bean if you haven't already deleted your old instalation also there is this ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) | directedge.us

 

+1 for magically Jelly Bean Keyfinder, I use it monthly. It also pulls up Office keys.

I use this version though: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/beta/

 

Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder doesn't work on preactivated systems because it preactivates with manufacturer GVL.

 

If you use origional DELL installation DVDs, u dont need any key coz the key is written in the BIOS. IMO, The COA is useless coz U wont be able to use it. IF you use Microsoft original OS DVD to install ur system, the COA wont active your OS anyway.

 

I've used it on "preactivated" systems before and it works great.

 

Too bad it doesn't work on Windows 7.

 

Yes it does:

 

If you get a key, it is going to be the same used on thousands of other systems. That key will not be valid for installing from a retail or OEM disk.

 

Yup, it is a key that is generated when the disc senses the appropriate manufacturer BIOS/motherboard tattoo

 

Oh? That's interesting, given that the author states on his opening page that it won't "Recover serials for Windows 7 and Office 2010".

Edit - Oh, right, you're using the Beta. Maybe support was added and he forgot to document it. He did last update the page 3 years ago.

 

With regards to preactivated systems, I would just run ABR, do your fresh install of W7 or whatever (leaving the serial blank and not automatically registering) then just run ABR again. Thats what I did doing a Fresh install of W7 HP x64 (using the downloadable isos) on my new Thinkpad.

 

Use ABR, save your old activation information, reinstall Windows without a key, and restore the activation. Works for any version of Vista and 7 (OEM, retail, upgrade, etc.)

 

Use ABR on the factory installation, save the activation information, re-install Windows without a product key, then restore the activation. I keep a flash drive with the ABR information of every computer I'm responsible for mainly so I can avoid having to deal with either the automated activation line that can't understand what I'm saying, or tech support in India who... still can't understand what I'm saying.

 

Actually it is valid for activation for all except VLK Windows.
Retail or OEM disk comes with SLP2.1 built in hence you can do that activation.

Instead of keeping all the ABR backups why don't you just keep the list of certs and the keys? They are the same thing actually.