I did a reformat on my hard drive - original windows
program was WinMe - I later purchased the upgrade WinXP -
now I reformated I am back to ME and I go to install WinXP
it wants the license number which I don't have - I just
have the CD (Original) and I can't install XP.... Any
suggestions??? I try to email MS but they ask for that
number which I don't ahve..... HELP
Email any help info to: (E-Mail Removed)
Thanks for your time!
Merelu

You do not have to install Windows ME if you
wish to perform a "clean install" of Windows XP.
Here's how you do it:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

1. Open your BIOS and set your CD Drive as the first bootable device.
2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition(s), then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. After installing Windows XP, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

7. It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except for you mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.
After XP is installed, visit the support website of the manufacturer
of each hardware device to obtain the latest drivers or software
designed to work with Windows XP.


--
Nicholas

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Merelu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message:
news:cd5b01c38240$ab51abc0$(E-Mail Removed)...

| I did a reformat on my hard drive - original windows
| program was WinMe - I later purchased the upgrade WinXP -
| now I reformated I am back to ME and I go to install WinXP
| it wants the license number which I don't have - I just
| have the CD (Original) and I can't install XP.... Any
| suggestions??? I try to email MS but they ask for that
| number which I don't ahve..... HELP
| Email any help info to: (E-Mail Removed)
| Thanks for your time!
| Merelu

Greetings --

The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM (factory
installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer
affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of a laptop.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use AIDA32
Enterprise from http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php or ViewKeyXP from
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm to find the Product Key.
(If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since
reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably of the drive
image used at the factory and not _your_ specific Product Key;
therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not be --
used for a re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact whomever sold you the
OS; although very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of the
Product Keys they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy a
new license.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"Merelu" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:cd5b01c38240$ab51abc0$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I did a reformat on my hard drive - original windows
> program was WinMe - I later purchased the upgrade WinXP -
> now I reformated I am back to ME and I go to install WinXP
> it wants the license number which I don't have - I just
> have the CD (Original) and I can't install XP.... Any
> suggestions??? I try to email MS but they ask for that
> number which I don't ahve..... HELP
> Email any help info to: (E-Mail Removed)
> Thanks for your time!
> Merelu