Has anyone else noticed, or experienced the text on their Vista laptop's product code label wearing away? Mine's almost completely gone now so if I ever need it, I'm stuffed (hopefully recovery CD doesnt ask for it)

This one sits on a flat surface always, and is held tightly in the carry bag between upstairs and downstairs.

Had countless XP machines, which have been highly abused, and NEVER had this before. XP labels seem much better and glossier, whereas this just seems like a paper address label.

Before I complain to Microsoft and Toshiba, has anyone else had this? Machine's just over a year old.

Produkey will give you the codes back

ProduKey - Recover lost product key (CD-Key) of Windows/MS-Office/SQL Server

Haven't tried it with Vista but a quick google says it works.

Both my Samsung and Asus notebooks have worn away. In fact when i noticed i wrote down both COA. My XP machines are fine though because there glossy.

Yeah same here, which is just awesome as it is a Vista Ultimate key and I am using XP Pro SP3 on the laptop at the moment (corporate laptop & license).

XP has a plastic coating on it, which is peeling and wearing away on my 4 year old laptop, but just about readable.

Only older XP keys had the plastic coating. I have plenty of recent XP laptops at work, and all the xp keys have worn away. Luckily we have a volume license and dont need the keys, otherwise we would be **** so its not just vista.

The Vista labels have a number of anti-tamper properties and are sensitive to any lateral pressure. The later XP labels do exactly the same. Microsoft offer advice on placement, but fail to realise that there really isn't anywhere on a laptop that doesn't get some contact.

The top part is completely lost, which I assume is the product ref number? All I can Read is Vista Ultimate..... Toshiba....

Then underneath is my product key which is starting to go.

Surely they should provide a secondary/counterpart copy on the restore disk packaging? Is there any recourse through Toshiba or MS for this, and claiming I'm not tech savy to know about the useful tool aspman posted up, to end up with another key? (blag blag, other machine, blag)

I would make a note of it straight away...

Produkey will not help you as the standard-install of windows as it comes from the factory has a different mass-produced key which will not work on a new install.

This will tell you your product code: Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit

(Windows 7 appears as Vista Ultimate though )

This will tell you your product code: Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit

(Windows 7 appears as Vista Ultimate though )

No it won't. It will give you the OE product installation code and not the serial number. You need the serial number to do a fresh install. IIRC, Belarc gives you a warning saying just that.

Restoring with the factory recovery disk does not need the key number

Seen it many times at work, the labels wear away incredibly easily.

So, if I have a restore disk, the key only proves it's a legit copy, or allows me to get hold of an OEM disk copy?

So, if I have a restore disk, the key only proves it's a legit copy, or allows me to get hold of an OEM disk copy?

Yes.. the restore disk will be locked to only work on the vendors specific hardware (dell, hp etc) - the sticker is basically your licence to use the software..

My work vista install seems to have a product key of all Bs....... weird

We have started to buy the new E series range from Dell and they have put the Vista label under the battery

Andy

Restoring with the factory recovery disk does not need the key number

Seen it many times at work, the labels wear away incredibly easily.

The one on my Thinkpad is unreadable now.