Windows xp serial retrieval

Sorry to appear dumb but what's advisor?

Thanks for the advice, the thing is i d/led it and tried it on a pc i have the serial for to verify it works and it gave me a different number to the one on the serial sticker.

do you need a serial number if you have the sticker, "it gave me a different number to the one on the serial sticker", use the one off the sticker.

Its quite simple, i have several pc's, i tried the jellybean program on one that i do know the serial of ( cos the sticker is on the case ) to verify that it did what its meant to do. the pc that i need to get the serial out of is a different one which i bought a copy of xp for as it came with me on it.

My point is when i ran it on the pc i do know the serial for as a test, why did it come up as a different set of numbers?

When i re install windows on the other pc what good is the number the jellybean program gives me if it wont relate to the one on the missing sticker.

I hope this is clearer.

Just incase anyone is wondering all my pc's use legit copies of windows.

Manufacturer-installed copies can have one key programmed into the registry which will not enable you to activate Windows but an entirely different key listed on the sticker for installation purposes. Retail-boxed copies, though, offer more continuity in that department...what you see is what you get, unless someone or something came along and changed it. You can double check it with Belarc Advisor if you like, but keep in mind they both look to the same registry entry.

John

That shouldnt be an issue as the pc i used to for the test didnt have the oem installation because i have wiped and reinstalled windows. Looks like the only way to be sure is to loot the house and find the xp box that i am missing as i really dont wanna use the numbers these programs give me only to have them rejected. Thanks for the help anyway.