Figuring out your own Windows Product Key?
 

I've got a Dell mini9 and I want to format it or slap a larger SSD into it, but I need the XP3 serial in order to reinstall windows.

Under the laptop, due to the excessive heat it puts out (or rather, that I cause it to put out) it's started to become discoloured. I've managed to get all but one letter legibly out, but I'm missing that one character.

I did a google search for "Product Key Retrieval", but oddly enough, the product key listed in the unattend file is COMPLETELY different from the one on the bottom of my laptop.

A) what gives?
B) which should I use if/when I reinstall
C) how can I figure out what my missing character is if I am supposed to use the one that came on the base of my netbook?

A) it's cooperate version of Windows XP Home. Manufacture create 1 image to install on thousands of computer/laptops in same configurations to save time. If you have restore CD/DVD, then it will install the same # as already in your laptop.
B) either one is fine. The one under your laptop is the license to use if you can't find the restore CD/DVD.
C) you can call Microsoft if you really want to find out.

But if you are simply upgrading the SSD, you can consider to clone it which is much faster if your original XP is clean and fast.

Here is the tool. Clone it and un-install it after clone.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...oad/trueimage/

Finally, SSD need some optimization like turning off index, page file, etc.

you can also try belarc http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
it'll list all of the licenses on your current pc

+1 for Belarc