How to get Product Key / Transfer License

[Anonymous]

I have AutoCad 2008 on a computer that has just stopped working.

Because it was installed quite a few years ago, unfortunately I have no box, no purchase confirmation email, no CD, no account login, etc.
IT guy managed to get the 'Product Information Properties' from the AutoCad 2008 program which includes the Serial Number and License details, but there is no product key number on there. 

I now have a new laptop and the IT guy installed a AutoCad 2018 Free Trial onto it. Is there anyway i can transfer my license somehow to the 2018 version, or do I need to install the 2008 version. If so, how do I get the Product Key number so I can enter it in the LTU - License Transfer Utility

Product Name: AutoCad 2008

Product Version: B.51.0

License Type: Standalone - Locked
License Behaviour: Permanent

License Usage Type: Commercial

Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> Is there anyway i can transfer my license somehow to the 2018 version, or do

>> I need to install the 2008 version

No, you have to install your old AutoCAD 2008 (if you get it running with current operating systems) or you start with 2018 from scratch (start into a new subscription).

- alfred -

[jggerth]

For that time frame, it was most likely purchased via a reseller.  If you can identify who/when, that would be a possible contact to track down the lost information from 2008.

Otherwise, you're looking at the new rental program for Autocad 2018 to run.  Alternatively, you might want to consider one of the DWG compatible alternatives -- since you've not needed/wanted to upgrade for the last decade, the feature set of Draftsight, BricsCAD, Intellicad, TurboCAD, or Ares Commander may be suitable.

[chriscowgill7373]

2008 will have some serious compatibility issues with Windows 10, as it isnt supported.

to use 2018, you would need a new license/serial number/product key

Product keys appear to only be available back to release 2010:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/download-install/activate/find-serial-number-product...

And based on the current pattern for product keys, going back that far I dont think they had them.

Are you sure you are not needing an activation code?

You could try AVA: https://ava.autodesk.com/

[dgorsman]

To add to the others, this is assuming the license wasn't already upgraded at some point (they track activations, not deactivations/uninstalls).  Even if you had a key/serial number/etc. if the license was upgraded several times you may no longer have the rights to use the 2008 version.  You *really* need to track down your account information to see where you stand.

And once you get going again, implement the lessons learned: back up the installer, service packs, hotfixes, serial numbers, contract info, reseller contacts, EVERYTHING to do with the program.  Review your disaster recovery protocol while you're in there, too.  If this failed then chances are there's other things which aren't covered either.