how to find product key acer spin 5

SherryG
SherryG Member Posts: 3 New User
edited February 17 in Swift and Spin Series

i have an acer spin 5 i have been using for almost 2 yrs. The laptop screen suddenly went black, but if i attach to an external monitor, i can use the computer fully. have an extended warranty and have received the shipping info to send it in. The info notes to keep my product key as it may be needed when they return it to restore the operating system. I don't have any sticker on the computer with that (have not removed any either) and the paperwork that came with it is in storage and I don't have access for months . Is there any work around way for me to get access to the original product key if I end up needing it? Is it somewhere in the computer info i can locate before i ship the computer?

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

Best Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,219 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓

    No real need. The product key is stored in the BIOS, so it's used automatically when the OS is installed. If they have to replace the motherboard, the new motherboard will have a new product key and the old one would no longer work.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • SherryG
    SherryG Member Posts: 3 New User
    Answer ✓

    ok thanks Bill, seemed odd, but they said that if they did something to my operating system, i would need the product key or would have to purchase a new operating system.. as my functionality seems ok using an external monitor assuming they will likely not have to address the OS and hard drive, but figured i'd check.. if they did have the replace the motherboard, wouldn't a new operating system be included in the warranty? or am i just naive 🙃

  • Athwart
    Athwart Member Posts: 87 Fixer WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    @SherryG No, not that I'm aware of.

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,219 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓

    No real need. The product key is stored in the BIOS, so it's used automatically when the OS is installed. If they have to replace the motherboard, the new motherboard will have a new product key and the old one would no longer work.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • SherryG
    SherryG Member Posts: 3 New User
    Answer ✓

    ok thanks Bill, seemed odd, but they said that if they did something to my operating system, i would need the product key or would have to purchase a new operating system.. as my functionality seems ok using an external monitor assuming they will likely not have to address the OS and hard drive, but figured i'd check.. if they did have the replace the motherboard, wouldn't a new operating system be included in the warranty? or am i just naive 🙃

  • Athwart
    Athwart Member Posts: 87 Fixer WiFi Icon

    @billsey is right that you probably won't need it. However, just to be on the safe side, you can get it with the following from an admin Cmd prompt:

    wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

    Similarly, you can get the OS serial number with:

    wmic os get serialnumber

  • SherryG
    SherryG Member Posts: 3 New User

    thanks Athwart, .. unfortunately i shipped it before i got that.. oh well fingers crossed i won't need it.

    or is there a way to get that if i know the s/n, etc of the acer and can put that into a web site to use the software licensing option you mentioned?

  • Athwart
    Athwart Member Posts: 87 Fixer WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    @SherryG No, not that I'm aware of.

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