Microsoft Software: Product Keys & The CD They Rode In On

igamenekkid

So, I have finally managed to find the time to organize the software library of an I.T. department I now run, and let's just say those who came before me should be pulled by their hair into the street and shot dead...

I'm finding a lot of Microsoft software CD sleeves with product keys on the back, but no way of telling what CD they belong to, as the CDs have been stored separately. The sleeve makes no mention of what the key is for, only a part number, which doesn't appear to me to have any connection with part numbers on the CDs. Obviously these aren't mission critical pieces of software, or I would have had to deal with the issue before now, but it would be nice to get everything organized before I actually need to install this software.

So, my question is: is there a resource or any way, short of attempting to install each item with each key, for me to connect these CD sleeves/product keys with my software CDs? Even a resource that tells me what the product key length for each piece of software would help me to narrow down what goes where...

Thanks in advance!

exoplasm

Well, there is various software available to inventory your entire network. Usually CD Keys used for installed software is included (if detectable). There is also the Jellybean keyfinder for office and windows keys. I don't have any names offhand, except one called OSCD or OCSD and I think one called Spiceworks.

What you really need is the opposite of a keygen I guess... You could probably call Microsoft and they might actually help you figure it out.

DjCalvin

Call Microsoft Directly.
the 1st 2 sets of characters give it away.