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Update: I've updated this section to make it clearer as to what I'm getting at, so that you can just skip through it and find the bits of information that you need, instead of having to read a whole block of text just to get to one bit.

Index
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1. What is a serial key?

2. Do I need a serial key?

3. Exactly why do I need a serial key?

4. Does all software require a serial key?

5. Have I been ripped off?

6. How can I get a serial key?

7. What are the most likely programs to need serial keys?

8. Would it be common for someone to try and rip me off?

9. A last minute tip.


1. What is a serial key?

A serial key is a code that often comes with either very popular or very expensive pieces of software. The code is used to install the product that you have bought, (the software will usually start the installation, and will then ask for the serial key so as to continue), and it lets the company know that you have definately bought the product from them, rather than off an online trading site and grabbed an illegal key (so that the company can make more money!)


2. Do I need a serial key?

If you have bought a piece of software, and it looks quite expensive or popular, it's more likely to need a serial key. I know for a fact that programs like Zonealarm Pro, AVG, Microsoft Word, Framemaker and all the Age of the Empires games and packages, need keys, so if you're thinking about buying one of the above for a birthday or Christmas present, I'd advise you to get them brand new and not second hand.


3. Why exactly do I need a serial key?

When you get a CD, the installation might ask for a serial key, and if it does you type it out and the installation continues. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don't realise that this only happens because the key is then stored in the registry for later use, and anytime they reinstall the same piece of software after that, the CD goes and checks in the registry for the key that is needed.

What if I reinstall my operating system?

However, if you own a computer that does not have the key stored on it for that particular product, or if you decide to reinstall your operating system due to some major pesky worm or something, the stored key is removed as well, because just like the computer, the registry is being wiped clean as well. It only keeps very important information that allows you to start the computer up and run programs like paint and wordpad and internet explorer, and use the hard drive and so on. Think of safe mode.

As there is no more serial key stored there, the CD won't know what it is and how to install it, and that's why you must keep the key yourself so that you can tap it in again later and store it in the registry once more.

4. Does all software require a serial key?

Not all software requires a serial key. There are hundreds of computer games that you can install immediately without any sort of code, and hundreds of computer programs that have the same situation applied to them. However, since there's still a lot of software out there that does require a serial key, it is always best to check with the seller first. (Note: Check with other people as well, incase you're being scammed. Forums are the best place for doing this.)

5. Have I been ripped off?

If your software requires a serial key upon installation and you haven't been given one, then you probably have been scammed. It may not have been intentional, because a lot of people throw their keys out after they install once, but then again it may have been so you need to keep an eye out.

I would be wary of buying second hand PC software from places like Game as well. I bought Age of the Empires 3 for £25.00 from Game, and when I got it home I found that I couldn't install it because there was no serial key with it. Not only that, but I hadn't been told that I needed a special video card for it, and therefore the game looked all pixely and bad.

6. How can I get a serial key?

The serial key should usually be on the packaging somewhere (if bought brand new), and if not then hope to god that the previous owner has supplied it in some way, like written on a piece of paper and stuck inside or something. If you find that no serial key has been supplied, then unless you're buying from a very honest seller that you know, it can sometimes be difficult to get a refund.

This is because the seller knows that the game works, and that is exactly what they're selling you: the game. Unless it states that the serial key is supplied, it's pretty unlikely that it will be, and without the serial key you won't be able to check if the CD runs, so it'll be pretty hard to prove that you're lacking something in order to get a refund, which leads back to the main problem: getting a refund for something you need in the first place.

How do I get a serial key if it wasn't supplied brand new?

Now, there are ways to get serial keys online, but I think it's illegal. I don't particularly want to be banned off Ebay, so I'm afraid that I won't be able to tell you how, but if you go onto a computer forum or a gaming site or something, there are usually hundreds of members who have also been ripped off and who would like to help you.

7. What are the most likely programs to need serial keys?

The most likely programs to need serial keys, are either very expensive ones like the Microsoft Office bundles (which includes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Powerpoint), and programs like Zonealarm Pro and anti virus programs, or they're very well known or popular pieces of software, like picture editing things and games like Age of the Empires.

The companies want to make as much money as they can, and if they know that their product is being bought by loads of people, they'll give you a serial key with the product so that you can prove to them that you definately bought it, and sometimes they'll make it so that the software can only be used on one computer, otherwise you'll run into trouble with the law!


8. Would it be common for someone to try and rip me off?

Loads of people sell on their computer software without the code, knowing full well that you will need the serial key. Sometimes they do this so that you will have to buy the serial key off them seperately (which will obviously cost you more, and if it's a very big thing or if it's very popular, it'll cost you a LOT more - and I think this is illegal.)

However, there are some people who, like I said before, just don't realise that you need to keep the serial key, and won't have it anymore, and you'll be faced with a problem. The wisest thing to do would be to ask about the product before you buy, and ask if it needs a serial key and if the key comes with the item that they're selling (don't say product - they might say 'yes it does come with the product', but what they'd actually be talking about is the brand new product).

9. A last minute tip. 

If you're in doubt about which products may need a serial key, I would advise asking around first. If a friend has the software, ask them, or if a family member has a piece of software that you're thinking of buying, check and see if you need anything extra.

You can also ask around on several gaming sites, or computer forums. Most of them are absolutely brilliant and will provide you with whatever you need, and both the members and staff are very, very helpful. However, there is one site called Deviantart and I would reccomend you to stay away from it.

For anyone who doesn't know, it's an community with a huge forum, that has loads of boards for everything you could possibly imagine - but you do tend to get a LOT of abuse there if you don't know something, especially from the staff for what they call making a 'pointless thread' (sorry - I was under the impression that that's what the boards were for - to ask questions. Hmmm...)