How do I recover XP product key from Fedora on a dual boot system?
 

I began reinstalling XP and later realized that I misplaced my XP Product Key. The system now boots only in Fedora although the Windows file system is still accessible. I did write down an encrypted version of the product key that is available under System Properties->General.

You need to mount the filesystem with the ntfs mount utility- add ntfs progs and tools and partition editors. Is the product key still on the machine?
Have you setup dual booting with grub and just boot into windows?

If you can open the registry, you'll find it under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\Key-XXXXXXX\ProductID. You can probably read the registry file using a hex editor after mounting the filesystem (haven't tried it personally), though dual booting and just reading it off System/General in the Control Panel would be easier ;)

XP wouldn't boot normally, it boots only into Installation procedure (it wants to finish system re-installation).
How do I find the registry, what is the folder and file name? Could I just run the file through "od -c" or something (octal dump, standard Unix command, not sure though whether it is available under Linux - I don't have access to my XP/Fedora box right now) ?

the key should be on a sticker on the original xp BOX . i take it you did not fallow the ms instructions and KEEP IT

please describe this " XP wouldn't boot normally," in detail .
from the above post it sounds like you are booting from the repair cd

most likely all you need to do is run "fixmbr" then reinstall grub
OR just edit grub.conf and correct the " other" listed there.

I used the key on the box (XP home edition) elsewhere, this PC has XP professional that I acquired independently.

Yes, I am booting from the repair CD. If the CD is not in the drive it still boots into XP installation process and eventually asks for CD (sorry, I am not next to the PC right now so I can't describe it more precisely).

There is no problem with grub. I can still boot either Linux or XP. The only problem is the XP would not boot normally.

from http://help.lockergnome.com/windows2...ict484827.html

%systemroot%\system32\config

the current_user hive is in;
\Documents and Settings\%userprofile%
ntuser.dat

The last reg backup files in;
%systemroot%\repair\RegBack

and the original as-installed files in;
%systemroot%\repair

Thanks. The folder %systemroot%\system32\config has 17 files and a large systemprofile folder. Any idea which file contains the windows Product Key? Is there a Linux tool similar to Windows' regedt32 or regedt that can view/change Windows registry?

Almost certain to be the large file, the Registry can get huge, which is one of the (many) problems with it. I don't know of any Linux regedit tools, though of course Wine has a regedit included in it which could probably read the "real" registry. Just make sure the Windows filesystem is read-only or it'll be trashed... You could, in fact, probably easily force Wine to use your mounted Windows partition as it's filesystem; that might be the easiest way to read it.

Thanks. I found what looks like a bootable Linux disk image with Windows crude registry editor - http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/ . But when I get to SYSTEM -> WPA the Product Key is identical on 2 different boxes I tested. I must be doing something wrong.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Well, I did a little more research. Apparently in Windows XP, unlike earlier versions, you can't just search the registry so easily to find product keys. There are a number of "keyfinder" programs available, free downloads, which apparently find these for you. You *might* be able to run those utilities with Wine, I haven't tried it. Search for "windows product key location in registry" under google and you'll find a bunch of different programs.

One of those is Belarc Advisor. http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

It's pretty good. When I reload a windows notebook, the number taped to it is never the one to load it with. I run this when I get the notebook to get a number that will work.

Thanks. I played some more with the Linux based Windows registry editor
( http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/ ). It appears that the registry contains only the encrypted version of the Product Key. Any ideas how to decrypt it?
I also downloaded one of Windows-based utilities to recover Product Keys but it doesn't want to work right under Wine.

If I get a chance I'll try to find one that does. You could also check the winehq database to see if you can find one that's been tested/debugged...