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  1. #1
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    Help! Recovering a key without booting the hard drive.

    So I have this hard drive that died on me but I can still get at it from another computer without booting the drive (Since it would most likely not boot because of different everything) but I have a windows key on it that I can't find the paperwork for. Is there any way I can get at the registry or run a program that will recover the key (Maybe a linux boot cd?) anyway please help.

  2. #2
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    Quetzalcoatl

    just attach the drive to a PC that's already running an OS and access the drive as a second drive?

    not sure i'm understanding when you say "died on me"

  3. #3

    http://magicaljellybean.com/

    is the software you use to recover key but I don't know if it can retrieve keys from non-booted operating systems.

  4. #4
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    Well how far can the disk boot? If you mean it can boot but not into windows then you could probably get a pre-boot disk to recover your key for you or try repairing windows, if the HDD is actually dead and not working then even if you shove it in another computers you won't be able to retrieve the key. Try calling up microsoft if you need a new key.

  5. #5
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    Kilrogg

    iirc recovery console (usable from the windows CD) gives you registry access if the drive is still fully functional, so you can get to it that way.

  6. #6
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