Product Key Code

where is this stored on my installed machine? I got the networking
features all messed up when trying to install a wireless Linksys adapter, and
couldn't get the "browse" to point to the cabs on the hard drive, aborted the
install. Now, when I finish going through the SETUP from the harddrive,
it's telling me that the product key code is not valid and won't let the
computer boot. It's showing me the correct code in all the boxes, but
something has to be a mismatch....

thanks

The W98 ProductKey is generally found on the Windows user manual, the
certificate of authenticity, a sticker on the PC or a sticker on the sleeve
or jewel case the Windows CD came in. The 25-digit key is 5 groups of 5
alpha/numeric characters. The Key might be available from the system:

If the system is working in either safe or normal mode:

Open regedit.exe to this key and look in the right pane for the entry
ProductKey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion

If the system is not working, start the computer with a floppy startup disk.

At the A: prompt, type: C:\Windows\Command\Find /N "ProductKey"
C:\Windows\System.dat
(Note: ProductKey must be typed in upper and lower case letters as shown
and there is a space after: "Find" after: "/N" and after:
"ProductKey"


--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"Wendy" wrote in message
...
where is this stored on my installed machine? I got the networking
features all messed up when trying to install a wireless Linksys adapter,
and
couldn't get the "browse" to point to the cabs on the hard drive, aborted
the
install. Now, when I finish going through the SETUP from the harddrive,
it's telling me that the product key code is not valid and won't let the
computer boot. It's showing me the correct code in all the boxes, but
something has to be a mismatch....

thanks

"Wendy" wrote in message
...
where is this stored on my installed machine? I got the networking
features all messed up when trying to install a wireless Linksys
adapter, and
couldn't get the "browse" to point to the cabs on the hard drive,
aborted the
install. Now, when I finish going through the SETUP from the
harddrive,
it's telling me that the product key code is not valid and won't let
the
computer boot. It's showing me the correct code in all the boxes,
but
something has to be a mismatch....

thanks

Wendy,

Go to Start Run regedit OK HKEY-Local-Machine Software
Microsoft Windows D.C. Current Version Scroll to Product Key in
right hand pane.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

Both suggestions worked just fine..... but what is interesting is that the
ProductID code which is in registry IS the right code from the CD.....
Yet, Windows says it is invalid and won't allow the bootup to continue. What
have I done wrong? Or more importantly, what can I do to fix and proceed??



"Wendy" wrote:

where is this stored on my installed machine? I got the networking
features all messed up when trying to install a wireless Linksys adapter, and
couldn't get the "browse" to point to the cabs on the hard drive, aborted the
install. Now, when I finish going through the SETUP from the harddrive,
it's telling me that the product key code is not valid and won't let the
computer boot. It's showing me the correct code in all the boxes, but
something has to be a mismatch....

thanks

"Wendy" wrote in message
...
Both suggestions worked just fine..... but what is interesting is
that the
ProductID code which is in registry IS the right code from the CD.....
Yet, Windows says it is invalid and won't allow the bootup to
continue. What
have I done wrong? Or more importantly, what can I do to fix and
proceed??



"Wendy" wrote:

where is this stored on my installed machine? I got the
networking
features all messed up when trying to install a wireless Linksys
adapter, and
couldn't get the "browse" to point to the cabs on the hard drive,
aborted the
install. Now, when I finish going through the SETUP from the
harddrive,
it's telling me that the product key code is not valid and won't let
the
computer boot. It's showing me the correct code in all the boxes,
but
something has to be a mismatch....

thanks

Wendy,

I suggest that you try Microsoft Help and Support. They helped me
without charge a few years ago and they were very effective. The tel.
number then was 0870 60 70 700. It may have changed as shown on this
site http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support, but worth a
try. Tell them that you have "Not used your two incidences of no support
charge". I wish you well.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

"Wendy" wrote in message
...
| Both suggestions worked just fine..... but what is interesting is that
the
| ProductID code which is in registry IS the right code from the CD.....
| Yet, Windows says it is invalid and won't allow the bootup to continue.
What
| have I done wrong? Or more importantly, what can I do to fix and
proceed??
|
|
|
| "Wendy" wrote:
|
| where is this stored on my installed machine? I got the networking
| features all messed up when trying to install a wireless Linksys
adapter, and
| couldn't get the "browse" to point to the cabs on the hard drive,
aborted the
| install. Now, when I finish going through the SETUP from the
harddrive,
| it's telling me that the product key code is not valid and won't let the
| computer boot. It's showing me the correct code in all the boxes, but
| something has to be a mismatch....
|
| thanks

The standard would have been to revert to an older registry save... prior
to the problem.

Apparently you tried an "over-install" of the OS.. correct?

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com/
BLOG - http://peoplescounsel.spaces.live.com/ Public Notice or the "real
world"
http://groups.google.com/group/the-peoples-law?hl=en - discussion group for
general aspects of Law verses the Peoples' of the world

"Most people, sometime in their lives, stumble across truth.
Most jump up, brush themselves off, and hurry on about their business as if
nothing had happen." Winston Churchill
Or to put it another way:
Morpheus can offer you the two pills;
but only you can choose whether you take the red pill or the blue one.
_______________

The most common reason is that you enter a 0 (zero) instead of an capital O
(oh), (or vice versa) or mix up some other letter.

Does the PC boot in either safe or normal mode? If so, delete the entry
from the registry and see if that does it.

--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"Wendy" wrote in message
...
Both suggestions worked just fine..... but what is interesting is that
the
ProductID code which is in registry IS the right code from the CD.....
Yet, Windows says it is invalid and won't allow the bootup to continue.
What
have I done wrong? Or more importantly, what can I do to fix and
proceed??



"Wendy" wrote:

where is this stored on my installed machine? I got the networking
features all messed up when trying to install a wireless Linksys adapter,
and
couldn't get the "browse" to point to the cabs on the hard drive, aborted
the
install. Now, when I finish going through the SETUP from the harddrive,
it's telling me that the product key code is not valid and won't let the
computer boot. It's showing me the correct code in all the boxes, but
something has to be a mismatch....

thanks