Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
I just ran the same process just before I posted in this thread, it
specifically asked to input "Product Verification Key." If you don't
download the active x control which allows verification in the background,
you have the option to run it from the site. The utility creates a product
verification key and it is that key that it asks you to input.
Did it say CD key or Product Verification Key? It's not even a secure site.
Beta or not, I can't believe, knowing how insecure the web is, they would
ask you to input your CD key and that was not what I saw when I ran through
the very same process you describe and had the same prompt for product
verification.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"bxb7668" <bxb7668@somewhere.nocom> wrote in message
news:ORHl2nDJFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Sorry. It's the new (beta) process on the Microsoft site. I went to
> http://www.microsoft.com. Clicked on Download. Clicked on Windows
> AntiSpyware (Beta). Clicked on Continue to start the download. To see
> what would happen I selected Yes validate and clicked Continue. At
> this point it asked me for the Product Key.
>
> I've heard from sources inside of MS that this is currently a beta of
> their new process. Semi-random downloaders are being asked for the
> product key. When this mess goes gold, everyone will be required to
> provide their product key. It will not be optional. That's what I've
> been told.
>
> Brian
>
> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in message
> news:OCY%23J3CJFHA.4028@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> Other's have explained the discrepancy on the product key. However,
>> Microsoft doesn't ask for the CD key not at the site you mentioned
> nor at
>> any other public site, it would expose the keys to theft.
>>
>> The verification process, if you elect to run the process from the
> site,
>> rather than install the control, it puts you through several steps
> and then
>> generates a code and it is that code for which it is asking. If you
> were
>> asked for the CD key, the site was bogus.
>>
>> --
>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>
>>
>> "bxb7668" <bxb7668@somewhere.nocom> wrote in message
>> news:ufas5%235IFHA.3788@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> >I was trying to download MS AntiSpyware beta. MS wanted to
> "validate"
>> > that I have a legal copy of Windows. When I typed in the key
> reported
>> > by Keyfinder et. al., MS said that it was an invalid key. Not
> good.
>> >
>> > "Walter Clayton" <w-claytonNO@SPmvpsAM.org> wrote in message
>> > news:Otc7%2365IFHA.1248@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> >> Are you comparing the reported key against the key on the sticker
> on
>> > the
>> >> machine? If so, then it's not unusual for the two to be
> different.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Walter Clayton
>> >> Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently
>> > advanced.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "bxb7668" <bxb7668@somewhere.nocom> wrote in message
>> >> news:OXh32z5IFHA.1392@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> >> >I needed my Win XP Home product key today and didn't want to dig
>> >> > through the boxes to find it. So I tried Keyfinder and Belarc
> and
>> >> > AIDA32. All of them reported the wrong key. The key that it
>> > reported
>> >> > was for Internet Explorer 6, not Windows XP Home. Just thought
>> > that
>> >> > I'd post my experience and see if anyone else has noticed the
> same
>> >> > thing. For that matter, are there any other free tools that
>> > return
>> >> > the correct product key?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks
>> >> > Brian
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>