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The history of this "gifted" laptop (is it a gift if someone gives you a 2-year-old computer that won't boot?) is that it has had its hard drive chewed by virus(es?) and no longer boots. Recovery mode gives up. I want to acquire Restore cds/dvds but need the license to do so.

Windows license number rubbed off of the sticker. I have downloaded a utility to reveal the license codes from the registry files on the hard drive.

Before I do this I'd like to know the version. I think this is Win7 but do not know for sure. Is there a file I can look in or the presence of a file I can confirm that will identify whether it is Vista, 7 or other?

The drive mechanism is fine and I can access all directories.

Thanks, Dave

edit:

This SU thread mentions kernel version files in /Windows/winsxs folder. I have several such files containing the name "6.1.7601.22125" (the last 5 digits in the other files may be similar or different from these digits). I also have several files a la "6.1.7600.nnnnn" flavor.

Can I presume Win 7?

Thanks.

Journeyman Geek
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iXod
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2 Answers2

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Ahh forensics.

Now, There's two elements to this problem. Firstly, that this information is stored in the registry - specifically in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion. - look for a key called product name

Secondly you need to be able to read it. The files below contain the entirity of your registry 

 c:\windows\system32\config\system
 c:\windows\system32\config\software
 c:\windows\system32\config\sam
 c:\windows\system32\config\security
 c:\windows\system32\config\default

These may be in ALL CAPS (MS's documentation has it in small letters, while my system has it all caps)

You really only need the file called software but copy everything out anyway. There's also a regback folder that may be of interest in system32 - this has known good copies, and covers the same role as the old c:\windows\repair\default folder. This is likely to work perfectly, should registry issues be what's causing non bootingness so grab this too anyway, since they're less likely to be corrupt

Now, you should be able to open these with Windows Registry Recovery to check - In this case, I booted into linux to copy out the contents of the windows\system32\config\regback folder I mentioned earlier (but another copy of windows will do). then opened up the software hive with WRR, this should give you the product name, key and other information under the windows installation tab

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Journeyman Geek
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Press 'Win' key with R (WIN+R) and type: winver. This will show you your Windows version. (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/which-operating-system)

EDIT: Please read my message: "does not boot" (As proof that I should sleep...)

Using an alternate OS such as Linux (http://www.ubuntu.com/) to access the equivalent to: "C:\Windows\System32\". Located within this directory is the "license.rtf" file. This will contain the Windows version and build for the OS.

Mark Lopez
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