Is it possible to get the windows product key sticker replaced?

I'd like to know other's experiences with this. Mine had come off and I just threw it away since it didn't stick any more.
I called Lenovo about it, got tech support in Atlanta. They said they can't replace it, but to call Microsoft. I know for a fact that since it's OEM Microsoft wont support it, and they'll tell me to call Lenovo.
So I'd like to know definitively if I can get a replacement for it or not. Should I just call again?

 

I don't think you should call again. I really don't think anyone is going to replace the code for you sadly. However, all is not lost. You can recover your key in Windows. Right it down! If Windows 7 or Vista, the key is listed on your Properties page. Keep the code safe and you can then authenticate in the future. That should do the trick! Hope this information helps you.

 

If your machine was preactivated with a GVL, then using a program that finds the COA will not work. I doubt Lenovo would be able to help you out.

Roger did you need to reinstall the OS? You might need your Lenovo recovery media to do so.

Lenovo, HP and Dell will send free recovery media IF your COA is rubbed off and you have a hardware failure/unable to make recovery media WHILE you are still under warranty.

 

The first thing I do with any computer that has one is take a picture of the Windows sticker and save it on my external drive.

 

I should have included more details. I had used orev's activation backup and restore utility, and backed up the product key and the license file. Lenovo was also nice enough to send me recovery discs which I recieved yesterday.
They said you don't need the product key, but in case I want to sell my T410 later (still thinking about it), I'd like to have the product key as that could affect the value, especially if the buyer wants windows. That's all.

 

As long as you have the official recovery discs, I don't think the buyer care about COA.

 

I think you may be hosed on this one, at least for getting your unique key. From my understanding, which is limited, when you buy a notebook Lenovo installs Windows with their key and puts a COA on the bottom the machines, but the two keys are not the same. You can use one of the key finders, but it will be the Lenovo key. If you want to do a clean install, you try the Lenovo key. I don't know if it'll work. When I get a new machine I always right down the serial as I usually peel every sticker from the machine I can.

 

picky buyers might care. having the recovery discs would help allay some concerns.

but why on earth would the OP discard the sticker? you gotta hang to that sorta stuff if there's even a small chance that you might want to sell the laptop later on.

 

@ZaZ, that's exactly what I did before was do a clean install with the lenovo key and license file, worked fine.

@filmbuff, the coa sticker lost it's "stickiness" and wouldn't stay on. At the time I had switched to linux full time, so I thought I didn't need it and tossed it. In hindsight I wish I didn't do that.

 

Roger,

I felt sorry for you until I found that you were running linux.

Renee

 

Thanks, but I don't need your sympathy. But really, thanks for the thought anyway.

 

@Roger as ZaZ said, the key Lenovo uses with preinstalling the OS or that is included with the recovery disks is different from the one on the sticker. If you did not use the key on the sticker to install Windows and threw the sticker away, there is no way to recover that key.

If you saved your key from a previous Lenovo preinstallation, that uses a different key than what was on the sticker. I am not sure you could even activate that key, even if you succeed in extracting it from the system. The only way to have an activated Windows is to either transfer the activation data into a clean installation of Windows or use the recovery media.

 

well, in this day and age...between the yearly refreshes and new models being introduced (and the accompanying temptation of upgrading) and the price-conscious buyers looking to get older machines at good pricing either because they don't need all that 'new fangled power' or want a now-disposed option (such as a 4:3 display and the dwindling 16:10), who can really say with certainty that a laptop will never change hands anymore.

i've even kept all the original boxes for the laptops that i've purchased in the last year. keeping a detached COA is child's play compared to that.

[i've yet to sell any of my thinkpads over the years though...i love 'em too much to part with them!]

 

you are out of luck on this one, Lenovo or Microsoft won't issue any replacement stickers to you.