Back in 09 when I was enrolled as a Masters student I guess I assumed the economy was going to stay in the pooper and I'd be a grad student for awhile...and I didn't think about my registration key not being in the email sent to me.

I guess I should try MS customer service but I somehow doubt they are just going to hand me over a key even if I show them the confirmation email. I'd really like to get some new equipment (mobo/cpu/hdd) and do a fresh install but I'm not really eager to purchase Win 7 when I sort of already own it (I can't wait, one of you in here is going to cite the language in the license and call me an idiot for not writing the serial down...please go ahead and inhale anthrax after replying).

So...any kind CoE sole interested in lending a hand?

3/25/2011 2:11:25 PM

3/25/2011 2:26:39 PM

not a Chance

3/25/2011 2:40:08 PM

MS wont help b/c of the licensing if you aren't a student any more. But you could try using something like Acronis to image the drive and restore it to the new comp.

3/25/2011 2:52:18 PM

Have you already installed it on a working computer?
If so, use http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/.

3/25/2011 2:53:42 PM

oh yea. forget what i said and do that^

3/25/2011 3:29:25 PM

^ sometimes that doesn't work.

It's seems some of the CD keys are OEM install only. I've tried reusing a bunch of old 2007 office keys on Full version/Upgrade version/Academic version install CDs and they just won't work.

3/25/2011 3:56:02 PM

^^^ Yeah, I've been using it for nearly 2 years.

3/26/2011 7:44:33 AM

So does the Key Finder work?

3/26/2011 9:52:18 AM

yeah it does find the right number. The number sometimes just doens't coincide with type of installation CD you might have laying around.

3/26/2011 1:53:35 PM

If that happens just do phone activation and tell them why its not working and they'll activate it

3/26/2011 3:43:20 PM

^^I guess I should have said did the keyfinder work

3/26/2011 5:31:19 PM

Thank you key finder sir. Was able to format/reinstall/validate with no issues.

4/2/2011 10:49:59 AM

Glad to hear it worked.

4/2/2011 10:59:23 AM