Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder

[JD Anderson]

Hi,
My CD holder with all of my software was stolen ahwile back. I need to reinstall Windows XP on one of my computers. I recently bought Windows XP Pro for a new system build, so I have a disk. I'd like to find my key code on the older system so I can reinstall.

Is Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder safe to use? I don't like to install and run freeware without someone vouching for it! I did a search on the OS forum and didn't get any returns (last 90 days, at least).

Thanks,
JD

 

[Seeruk]

MS Antispyware detects it as being 'malware'

What a surprise

 

[nweaver]

What I would do....

unplug from network, run it (it does work) to get the key, reboot and format/install. Then who cares, it can't dial home after a format

 

[JD Anderson]

Originally posted by: Seeruk
MS Antispyware detects it as being 'malware'

What a surprise

Well, after I get the key code, I'm going to reformat the drive and reinstall the OS. I guess it doesn't matter if it is Spyware...

Is that an OK assumption?

JD

EDIT: Thanks NWeaver... You beat me to the punch!

 

[Slowlearner]

It works - run it off a usb key or floppy.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Seeruk
MS Antispyware detects it as being 'malware'

What a surprise

Hah, that's good.


I guess Lavalys' Everest is malware too - it can also tell the key....at least v1.5 could, back when they still included the software analysis portion.

 

[bendixG15]

I used the Jelly Bean key finder a dozen times with no problems.

Never worried about it being spyware........

 

[JD Anderson]

OK, one more quick question...
Does this find the activation code, or the CD key? I ran it and came up with a what appears to be a CD Key, but it does not match the CD key listed on the Windows XP sticker on the side of the case (this is a Dell computer).

Does anyone know if this software gives the activation code or the CD key? If it is the CD key, then Dell used a different key than the sticker they put on the case.

Thanks,
JD

 

[Shogun]

I believe Dell would have used an OEM key when the installed/imaged the OS at the factory. The key on the sticker found on your case is your key.

I don't remember Magic Jellybean returning the activation code but I haven't used it in a while. I have been using ProduKey as it picks up one of the Office keys that Magic Jellybean didn't.

 

[sivart]

Originally posted by: JD Anderson
OK, one more quick question...
Does this find the activation code, or the CD key? I ran it and came up with a what appears to be a CD Key, but it does not match the CD key listed on the Windows XP sticker on the side of the case (this is a Dell computer).

Does anyone know if this software gives the activation code or the CD key? If it is the CD key, then Dell used a different key than the sticker they put on the case.

Thanks,
JD

Here is a not-so-secret fact. Yes, Dell uses an OEM key when installing all the OS's and then places your individual key on the side of the case. When you re-install the OS from the Dell provided CD, you will not be prompted for the CD key, nor will you need to activate the copy after the install. You will be able to validate your install of Windows XP on the Microsoft site and have access to all the necessary updates.

...so that means that as long as you have the disc, you can install the OS on any machine that has a Dell BIOS. Let me count how many of my Dell machines have a XP Key on them........

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: siliconhills

Originally posted by: JD Anderson
OK, one more quick question...
Does this find the activation code, or the CD key? I ran it and came up with a what appears to be a CD Key, but it does not match the CD key listed on the Windows XP sticker on the side of the case (this is a Dell computer).

Does anyone know if this software gives the activation code or the CD key? If it is the CD key, then Dell used a different key than the sticker they put on the case.

Thanks,
JD

Here is a not-so-secret fact. Yes, Dell uses an OEM key when installing all the OS's and then places your individual key on the side of the case. When you re-install the OS from the Dell provided CD, you will not be prompted for the CD key, nor will you need to activate the copy after the install. You will be able to validate your install of Windows XP on the Microsoft site and have access to all the necessary updates.

...so that means that as long as you have the disc, you can install the OS on any machine that has a Dell BIOS. Let me count how many of my Dell machines have a XP Key on them........

I found this out at work last week. I was testing one of our old HP Win 98 boxes and bumped the memory up to 256 and used an HP XP SP1 disk to install XP on it. I expected to have to enter a product key and get the activation prompt since this machine was built in 2001. I got neither, not that I would have cared since it is just a temporary test install. As for the keyfinder McAfee always ignored it but we just moved to Trend Micro and it too picks it up as spyware/malware and deleted it.