How can I get my Windows 7 activation key

If need be I can provide my TAG but not through this public forum :-)

Hello!  There should be a CD Key either on the case the CD is in, on the bottom of the Laptop, or under the battery.  

See here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/a-clean-install-of-windows-7/the-oem-or-retail-license-and-product-activation-windows-vista-7/the-activation-backup-and-recovery-program-windows-vista-7-version/

Yes...under the battery it was... Thanks

most of the key has been rubbed off of the sticker on bottom...of course-it sits on my lap...duh. but anyways back to the problem. if the product key is unreadable will dell be able to tell me what it is?

The question is how have you reinstalled the Operating System? Did you use installation media created by Dell Backup and Recovery or restore from the internal recovery partition? Alternatively did you use a Dell Branded Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD? In all of these cases the product key isn't required as the Dell Windows 7 OEM install uses Dell System Locked Preinstallation OEM activation. In such cases a generic product key is input and Windows 7 is activated if and only if a valid Dell BIOS is detected.

If the point in getting the product key is to download installation media from Microsoft, it won't work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3jUe9Q_Wg8

If you are using non-Dell branded Microsoft Windows 7 installation media which you have from a retail install or downloaded the .iso in advance then you should use the ABR program to apply System Locked Preinstallation:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/a-clean-install-of-windows-7/the-oem-or-retail-license-and-product-activation-windows-vista-7/the-activation-backup-and-recovery-program-windows-vista-7-version/