The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    windows activasion key

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by chris405, Mar 4, 2010.

  1. chris405

    chris405 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    on my l300d - 242 that came pre installed with vist the activasion that was on the bottom has started to fade and i can only make out 4 lines of the whole thing what would be the best way to retreiv the key because i have installed xp on it and i need the key for if i ever to be stupid n go bak to vista :D
     
    chris405, Mar 4, 2010
    #1
  2. czynot

    czynot Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    buy copy of new windows. Nothing you can do. STUPID vista key are printed on and are easily rub off. XP keys are still look clean and new after 10 yrs. But new vista sticker? the ink rub off in few months. I think MS do it on purpose. you lose the key? buy new windows. just another way to milk you..
     
    czynot, Mar 17, 2010
    #2
  3. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    806
    Messages:
    2,044
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I think they do. Although I downgraded to XP , I covered the vista sticker with some cellotape :D

    Try contacting Toshiba and ask them for a recovery DVD. A recovery DVD usually includes the OS. They may ask you for less money than the cost of a new license.

    By the way doesn't your toshiba include a hidden partition (in your harddrive) that contains the recovery files?
     
    naton, Mar 17, 2010
    #3
  4. Ingvarr

    Ingvarr Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    292
    Messages:
    1,090
    Likes Received:
    115
    Trophy Points:
    81
    Ingvarr, Mar 17, 2010
    #4
  5. Priest-King

    Priest-King Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    95
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    A program called RockXP to retrieve serials from windows. It often gets identified as a virus, but that is just because of how it works, it is not an actual virus. It will retrieve windows keys and other microsoft program keys.
     
    Priest-King, Mar 30, 2010
    #5
  6. Ingvarr

    Ingvarr Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    292
    Messages:
    1,090
    Likes Received:
    115
    Trophy Points:
    81
    It's not always enough to retrieve just a key for laptop installation though. Often, a file called "OEM certificate" must be backed up too. Utility I've referenced does this (both CD Key and OEM Cert).
     
    Ingvarr, Mar 31, 2010
    #6
  7. Priest-King

    Priest-King Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    95
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    It retrieves the CD key info found on the sticker on the case that is needed to reinstall windows. I have used it many times when customers have lost their key or like this case it has worn off.
     
    Priest-King, Mar 31, 2010
    #7
  8. Ingvarr

    Ingvarr Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    292
    Messages:
    1,090
    Likes Received:
    115
    Trophy Points:
    81
    In case of OEM install the original key may not match the one on sticker.
    Granted, sticker key can still be used, but it will switch licensing to retail mode - requiring online activation. With OEM key online activation is not required, that's why I prefer to back up original OEM key/certificate pair along with key on sticker.
     
    Ingvarr, Mar 31, 2010
    #8