SOLVED Help with damaged product code needed.

[rackrunner]

Can anyone help trying to figure out the missing parts of this product code, My hardrive crashed and I am trying to do a install but cannot get past the product code info because I am unable to enter the code properly.
Also does anyone know if you get blocked if you try too many times to enter the product coder info, I have made numerous attempts.

Thanks

 

[Ian]

You can't lock yourself out if you try too many times (AFAIK), so don't worry.

It should be possible to work out all combinations of those 3 letters and then try them all. For example:

the 3rd letter could be: P, R, B?
the 4th letter could be: L?
the 5th letter could be: H, Y?

 

[TrainableMan]

the 3rd letter could be: P, R, B ?
the 4th letter could be: L, 4, 6 ?
the 5th letter could be: H, 4, (Y) ?

My key has a 4 and a 6. The four is open at the top so it would fit and the 6 has a very slight angle at the top but almost straight up so there is a slight chance that may be the fourth letter as well.

I also have a Y in mine and the way mine is written the last letter could not be a Y. But then again I do not know if Microsoft uses different fonts; I doubt it but if the others don't work of course you try it.

Be sure to write it down once you DO figure it out.

 

[rackrunner]

I have tried the following letters and all of the possible combinations but no luck...
pos 3- B,P,R
pos 4- H,K,D,W,M,Y,F
pos 5-H

Here is another newbie question,
Am I using the the correct version of Windows 7?
The label on my computer says
"Windows 7 Home Prem OA" it was installed when I purchased new- OEM and the info from the version I installed says
"Windows 7 Home Premium".

Is there a difference?

Thanks

 

[clifford_cooley]

Try this:

the 3rd letter: R? (I'm voting R because of how the loop angles at the bottom.)
the 4th letter: L, H, K, U, 4, 6? (Have you considered U?)
the 5th letter: H or 4 (It looks more of an H than 4 to me.)

 

[TrainableMan]

I suggest you try the numbers I listed too.

And it's a Home Premium key so that's the right version.

 

[rackrunner]

I will try all of TrainableMan's suggestion and have also found out that the following characters are not permitted and can't be used.
A,E,I,L,N,O,S,U,Z and numbers 1 and 0.

I also have the number 4 elsewhere in the product code and it has a closed top.

Thanks to all for your help

 

[Ian]

Good luck, you'll get there in the end with a few tries

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

This is more intriguing than a Sudoku puzzle!!

 

[TrainableMan]

Looking again that 4th one could be B,D,F,G,H,K,M,P,R,V,W,X.Y,4,5,6 depending on the font and just exactly where the paper is torn off.

Please do let us know when you get it. And of course be very careful typing in the rest of the key else you could have the beginning right and it say invalid because of a later typo.

 

[rackrunner]

Good news,my installation has now been activated

Turns out the damaged characters were (drum roll)
P W H

I must have made an error with another character because I tried that before and it didn't work!!

I did a fresh install and started from scratch entering codes and finally found the correct order.

Thanks to all for your help

 

[yodap]

Congratz! A great mystery solved.