Maybe you're reformatting your hard drive or you just bought a new computer and need to reinstall a program from the CD, but can't find the little card with the serial number on it. I hate that!
Before you reformat or erase the drive on your old system, go to
Help/About... in each program. The serial number should be there. If it isn't, you can get it from the registry (only advanced users should try this).
Now that we have the numbers, what to do about it? Is there a better way to keep them?
You could type up a list, but since you still have the CD, just get a permanent marker (preferably one made for marking CDs) and write the number on the label side of the disk. There is some debate over the effects of ink on a CD over time, but I wouldn't worry about it.
Now it doesn't matter what happens to the little card, book, or whatever the number was on. As long as you have the disk, you have the number.
In fact, if a program asks you to register a user name and password, you can do the same thing to avoid losing those. I know, the disk is in the PC at the time you're installing. Just write that registration information on the CD case / envelope or on the manual's inside cover. Just don't store your email passwords, bank PINs, or other security critical information this obviously.
Content source provided by: http://www.Worldstart.com
