I need to format and reinstall XP home.

Can I use Key FInder and email , save , the 25 digit key number?

Then install with a new RETAIL copy of XP home. Then regedit and change the
new XP Home key back to my old original LEGIT XP home key?

What and how would you do it? All my DATA is backed up on an External USB
HD.

Thanks. Enjoy your Cajun Gumbo today.

If you're buying a retail copy of XP, why do you need your old product key?

If you're using someone else's copy of XP to reinstall Windows on your
computer, you don't need to edit the registry to enter your own product
key. You will be prompted to enter the key during the install.

I'm not familiar with Key Finder (Magic Jellybean is usually recommended
around here.)
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Gary Adams Lsu Edu wrote:
> I need to format and reinstall XP home.
>
> Can I use Key FInder and email , save , the 25 digit key number?
>
> Then install with a new RETAIL copy of XP home. Then regedit and change
> the new XP Home key back to my old original LEGIT XP home key?
>
> What and how would you do it? All my DATA is backed up on an External
> USB HD.
>
> Thanks. Enjoy your Cajun Gumbo today.

I can't even fathom why you want to do this, why not just install using the
old key? Is your old install OEM or retail?
The key can't be changed via regedit, use one of the available tools to
change it.

--

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"Gary Adams Lsu Edu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1DF823AC-A8B1-4657-8143-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I need to format and reinstall XP home.
>
> Can I use Key FInder and email , save , the 25 digit key number?
>
> Then install with a new RETAIL copy of XP home. Then regedit and change
> the new XP Home key back to my old original LEGIT XP home key?
>
> What and how would you do it? All my DATA is backed up on an External USB
> HD.
>
> Thanks. Enjoy your Cajun Gumbo today.

Is your old legit install an OEM version or a retail version? The reason I
ask is because OEM keys are not accepted by Retail versions of XP and vice
versa. However if your original install was from a retail version of XP then
yes you can change out the keys. But it would be easier to simply insert the
old key when prompted to do so during setup than do a registry hack later
on.

--

Xandros


"Gary Adams Lsu Edu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1DF823AC-A8B1-4657-8143-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I need to format and reinstall XP home.
>
> Can I use Key FInder and email , save , the 25 digit key number?
>
> Then install with a new RETAIL copy of XP home. Then regedit and change
> the new XP Home key back to my old original LEGIT XP home key?
>
> What and how would you do it? All my DATA is backed up on an External USB
> HD.
>
> Thanks. Enjoy your Cajun Gumbo today.

Hello Gary,

"Gary Adams Lsu Edu" wrote:

> Can I use Key FInder and email , save , the 25 digit key number?
Sure- You can use the following tool http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/


> Then install with a new RETAIL copy of XP home. Then regedit and change the
> new XP Home key back to my old original LEGIT XP home key?
Why you didn't use the legit key and media during the installation?

> What and how would you do it?
The Windows Product Key Update Tool should help you to change your PKey.
http://tinyurl.com/5zdch2

> All my DATA is backed up on an External USB HD.
Excellent ;-)

Good-luck!

Cheers
- V

"Gary Adams Lsu Edu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1DF823AC-A8B1-4657-8143-(E-Mail Removed)...

>I need to format and reinstall XP home.


First of all, why? Most of the time I see people who want to do that, it's
for poor reasons. If you are having problems that you haven't solved,
getting rid of them by reinstalling, and not finding out what caused them,
means that it's likely that you will repeat the behavior that caused them,
and quickly find yourself back where you started.


> Can I use Key FInder and email , save , the 25 digit key number?

You can find the Product key with any of these:
ViewKeyXP www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe (for Retail versions only,
and for pre-SP2 versions only)

AIDA32 http://www.aumha.org/freeware.htm

Everest http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1

Magical Jellybean www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml


> Then install with a new RETAIL copy of XP home.


Is the existing copy retail? Your key is good only it matches the
installation CD with respect to Home vs. Professional, Retail vs. OEM., and
Full vs. Upgrade.

> Then regedit and change the new XP Home key back to my old original LEGIT
> XP home key?


No, that's not possible.


> What and how would you do it? All my DATA is backed up on an External USB
> HD.
>
> Thanks. Enjoy your Cajun Gumbo today.