is there any way in a winpe disk to allow it to find the product key from a dead install at all?

MUST be able to distribute this tho!

got a user with a vista install on a laptop that their COA is worn (OEM) and it will not boot correctly but will get in to repair your computer section.

need to get this product key to save the customer from buying a new COA.

got a user with a vista install on a laptop that their COA is worn (OEM) and it will not boot correctly but will get in to repair your computer section.

The key is in the Registry, if the Registry can be accessed, the key can be retrieved and decoded.

I would try this, first thing:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Next:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

jaclaz

got a user with a vista install on a laptop that their COA is worn (OEM) and it will not boot correctly but will get in to repair your computer section.

The key is in the Registry, if the Registry can be accessed, the key can be retrieved and decoded.

I would try this, first thing:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Next:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

jaclaz

If the company has installed a system "with their own package". Then you cannot use their COA key. Through a Windows registry COA recovery

ie

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

The key in the registry wont match the sticker if it's royalty oem, but what do you mean by "cannot use"?

It'll work if you back up the certificate as well:

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/08/13/backup-and-restore-vista-oem-activation-license/

@xcellweb

but I wouldn't distribute winpe, keys or certs...

The key in the registry wont match the sticker if it's royalty oem, but what do you mean by "cannot use"?

It'll work if you back up the certificate as well:

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/08/13/backup-and-restore-vista-oem-activation-license/

@xcellweb

but I wouldn't distribute winpe, keys or certs...

Companies use a master key to install Windows. If the computer crashes or the DVD goes missing . This means, you have a seperate key "under the computer" to install windows "yourself"