Product Key Identification?

[Eric]

Does anyone know if there is a way to identify which MS software a product
key goes to? I have a bunch of Certificates of Authenticity with product
codes, but it does not say on the certificates which software they go to. My
guess is that most of these are Win95, Win98, WinNT, Office97, or Office 2000
keys, but I don't know how to tell for sure. Any ideas? At the very least
does anyone know how to tell the difference between an Office Key and a
Windows Key? I guess that is the key distinction I need to make in order to
finish a claim for the Class Action suit against Microsoft.

Thanks!

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Windows keys are generally adhered to the tower.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Bob I]

Class action suit? I would think if you were going to "sue", you would
know how to proceed, rather than posting a question like this to a
Microsoft hosted server.

 

[Eric]

It's a class action suit... it has already been won... you file claims in a
class action suit... everyone affected files claims... in this particular one
you have to submit documentation of product keys... there are forms you fill
out where you match product key with product name and different "damages" are
paid accordingly... I would assume you would know what a class action suit is
before you smart off about a question not being valid... PLUS... if you pay
attention to the content of the original post... it was in no way related to
my mentioning of the suit. I simply mentinoed that so people didn't respond
with questions like "why do you need to know anyway" or "why don't you just
try the code when you install the software"... the question really is... Is
there a way to determine which piece of software a product key or certificate
of authenticity is associated with?...

Thanks

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Bob,

It's likely not a case of going to sue, but may be related to trying to follow the letters that were sent out to registered users of
various MS products for filing for a rebate claim coupon as a result of settlement of certain class action lawsuits by States
Attorneys General vs. Microsoft.

===============
Class action suit? I would think if you were going to "sue", you would
know how to proceed, rather than posting a question like this to a
Microsoft hosted server. >>
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Eric,

There is some information on the various formats of Certificates of Authenticity here
http://microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/archived/coa.mspx
and the samples linked from that page along with more information for each product under the 'Products' links. Since 2000 the COAs
have generally included the product name on them. You may need to contact MS though if the information there isn't sufficient.

There is information in the MS knowledge base on the GUID (registry key) values to determine installed Office products and I assume
the same applies to the product keys (example)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/230848

==============
It's a class action suit... it has already been won... you file claims in a
class action suit... everyone affected files claims... in this particular one
you have to submit documentation of product keys... there are forms you fill
out where you match product key with product name and different "damages" are
paid accordingly... I would assume you would know what a class action suit is
before you smart off about a question not being valid... PLUS... if you pay
attention to the content of the original post... it was in no way related to
my mentioning of the suit. I simply mentinoed that so people didn't respond
with questions like "why do you need to know anyway" or "why don't you just
try the code when you install the software"... the question really is... Is
there a way to determine which piece of software a product key or certificate
of authenticity is associated with?...

Thanks <<
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[Bob I]

My apologies, I was under the impression you wanted to start a new one.
As to the COAs, I have mine with the CD they came with. I don't know of
any old cross references, maybe some else does.