Find XP CD key on CD

[begreen1]

I have a new WinXP CD + key and it won't work. I got it by auction and now am stuck (no returns). So I can't install WinXP. I think this is an OEM CD. Is there a way to recover the activation key from the CD for an OS that is not installed?

 

[JizzyJesus]

I'm pretty sure you can't get a cd key from a cd.

 

[begreen1]

It appears to be on the CD, but I understand an offest is applied depending on the hardware. It's the hardware offset that seems to be messing me up. In the XPSP.ini file in the netfix dir I find:
gfn_pid core pid 20=111 - 1111111
gfn_pid core pid 30=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
(I've substituted Xx for the PID code). Dunno if this is relevant, but it has the 25 characters of activation code.

 

[Lostman]

I don't think MS puts the CD keys on the disks. Though your "X"'s look to have the correct amount of digits, I don't think that's it.


This is why you don't buy software from auctions.

 

[begreen1]

True, true. The authentication code I found is just a sample.

 

[ekÆsine]

just a suggestion, but if it seems like an authentic oem winxp CD can't you call microsoft for help?