[RegorTheGreat]

I use Keyfinder PE on peoples computers all the time for crashed systems/drives...but these people never know what version of windows they have, much less the version install that was used to install (like xp home oem, retail, upgrade / xp pro corp, retail, oem, upgrade...). I usually have to grab their key, then put in the xp 9in1 disc and go through each version, put key in, and see if it takes it. I am hoping there may be a much quicker/simpler way. Unfortunately the keyfinders don't even say if its home or pro, or Win2000 if I run across.

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depending on the status of the failure...(i.e. is the drive completely hosed..though if you find the key..it's obviously not)...you could use something like the UBCD4WIN to get the system info...which SHOULD give you the build number and whether it's pro or home....decifering whether it's oem is a little different...and not sure how to tell that

[dsenette]

depending on the status of the failure...(i.e. is the drive completely hosed..though if you find the key..it's obviously not)...you could use something like the UBCD4WIN to get the system info...which SHOULD give you the build number and whether it's pro or home....decifering whether it's oem is a little different...and not sure how to tell that

[RegorTheGreat]

yeah, well I usually have to find which installation to use for the unknown key. I have been just starting a new install in windows with one version, and try the key, if it doesn't take it, I try another install...over and over till I find it.
Keyfinder and keyfinder PE are great software tools, but just one tool would make everything great - tool where I could put in a key, and it tells me OS, version, type, and all the info that I would need to get that version of the OS installed.
kind of like reverse keygen?

[Johanna]

If the system will still boot, the Control Panel> System will tell you the version, or you can open a command window type "systeminfo" w/o quotes. The version of their XP will display, along with a lot of other useful info. When I work on someone's computer, I put a Belarc in their file. http://www.belarc.co...e_download.html
That even gives me the right product key on record. Ever notice how some computers keep coming back?
Johanna

[fleamailman]

Ok, it might help to use two 'stand alone' programs if they will work under pe bert since nothing is installed.

for the key
http://www.magicalje...keyfinder.shtml

for the specs
http://www.alexnolan...are/sysspec.htm

[RegorTheGreat]

I guess there isn't a way to find out the specific version of the OS (home or retail). Hopefully MS won't create so many different versions of Vista, or at least have each coded differently so that 10 versions of the OS don't show up almost exactly the same. The problem is that no matter which Home version you install, they all show the exact same thing for version info...but you have to use that exact version if you want to install with the specific key. Same with Pro as well. Antipiracy for most, but a big aggrivation for a tech!

Thanks for the help guys