Installation of Microsoft software products generally requires entry of a 20 or 25 digit Product Key . The Product key is printed on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label.

For Microsoft Windows, the COA label is affixed to the underside of Toshiba notebook computers (since approximately 2001). All Toshiba notebook computers that have Windows XP pre-installed have the COA label in this location.

For earlier Toshiba notebook computers (with earlier versions of Windows) the COA sticker may be attached to the printed manual for Windows, or may be on a separate card placed in that manual, or may be included in the package of manuals and product cards for the computer.

For Microsoft software products other than Windows (Microsoft Office, for example), the Product Key is printed on the COA label on the underside of the computer. For older models, the COA label and Product Key are generally affixed to the CD case for the software title.

Lost or missing Certificate of Authenticity: Toshiba cannot provide replacement Certificates of Authenticity. If you cannot locate your COA or Product Key, contact Microsoft Direct at 425-635-7222.

Microsoft's "How to Tell " webpage -- at http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell -- provides information to help determine the authenticity of Microsoft software.

Toshiba Recovery / Configuration Builder discs: When restoring the original factory software image from the Recovery / Configuration Builder discs, it will be necessary to enter the Product Key for Microsoft Windows. For Windows 98 only, choosing "Restore the original default system install" (and then clicking Confirm) will display the 25 digit Windows 98 Product Key.

Windows 95: The Product Key must be entered when the computer is started the first time. The 20-digit Windows 95 Product key is in the format XXXXX-OEM-XXXXXXX-XXXXX. It may be identified as the "Product ID".

[Toshiba first affixed the COA label to the underside of the computer's case on these models: Satellite 2210X, Satellite 1605CDS, Satellite 1625CDT, Portege 7140CT, Portege 3100CT, Tecra 8100.]

^-ss/wa