Creative0Mind Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I am trying to help someone who took their laptop to a friend to get it 'fixed', however this friend reformatted the hard drive using their own Vista media and gave it back. Now, Vista is asking for the License Key to be activated and he cannot find his original software. I'm hoping Recuva may be able to recover the Windows License Key!!?!! Again, this is all in efforts to help someone in a bind and in the process learn as well! Thoughts & Suggestions are welcomed! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhawk Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 If this laptop was pre-installed with Vista (OEM copy) it's unlikely the original code or the one that came with the DVD it was installed with is going to active Windows. Most laptops come with some kind of a product recovery DVD or bootable recovery partition to reinstall the Operating System already activated. Perhaps your friend should inquire about getting a product recover DVD or maybe they already had one that came with the laptop and didn't realise it. The other alternative would be to ditch Vista and invest in a copy of Windows 7 since it's performance and memory usage is a lot better. Richard S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Nergal Posted January 12, 2011 Moderators Share Posted January 12, 2011 In short form. No, most programs, and especially Windows itself, do not keep program keys in file form. Recuva can only restore files. ADVICE FOR USING CCleaner'S REGISTRY INTEGRITY SECTION DON'T JUST CLEAN EVERYTHING THAT'S CHECKED OFF. Do your Registry Cleaning in small bits (at the very least Check-mark by Check-mark) ALWAYS BACKUP THE ENTRY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL BREAK IF YOU DON'T. Support at https://support.ccleaner.com/s/?language=en_US Pro users file a PRIORITY SUPPORT via email support@ccleaner.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creative0Mind Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 Hi Richard, I think it was originally pre-installed. I wonder if I should try the bootable recovery partition and see if will work?? Will the bootable recovery partition be from the original OEM install or will it be from what the other guy installed? Anyonw knows? I have advised him of Windows 7, but the $199. cost is not in his budget at this time. I'm just trying to see if I can help him in anyway with trying to recover it. Hmmmm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhawk Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 If the laptop has a boot recovery partition then this should be from the OEM install. The only thing that isn't clear is whether installing Vista over with the DVD has damaged the recovery partition. I guess the only way to find out is to try it out. Just out of curiosity what's the make and model number of the laptop?? Richard S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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