Schmidt said:
I purchased WIN 98SE Full Version, WIN ME & XP from an honest
private party on ebay. I was able to install & register both 98SE
and ME but the seller only had the product id # for XP and not the
CD Key code. It IS a genuine copy (due to the hologram on the cd).
How do I find the Key code or access the cd's registry in order to
install and setup?
Shenan said:
It is not necessarily the CD that makes a copy of Windows XP
legitimate/genuine.
It is the CD/Product Key.
The CD key is not stored on the CD.
It is purposely separated because the CD itself is not as important
as the CD Key.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/re/2abf99cd-a5e4-469c-802e-55ca8ec542d5.mspx
I have already tried the "How to tell if it's authentic" link. I
answered yes to the 4 questions. THE CD IS AUTHENTIC. However,
that doesn't help me during installation. I am still being
prompted to enter the product key, which I can't find. I am just
looking for a way to find my product key. After installing the WIN
98SE and upgrading to the WIN ME, I am now trying to install the
WIN XP Upgrade (all upgraded in the same machine).
Let me put it more succinctly..
Without the product/cd key - you have nothing.
The CD is just data - the real meat of a Windows XP install is the
CD/Product key - which you do not have.
You bought this from eBay. You have no one to go to but the person you
purchased it from to give you the key - or they need to provide you with
their proof of purchase of this CD so you can get a legitimate CD Key.
The CD/Product Key is not located on the CD in any form or fashion. You
bought it second hand - so your only recourse is to contact that seller.
They must have the CD Key you need in order to have an actual authentic
Windows XP installation/license. The CD may have been stamped with all the
authority of Microsoft behind it - but the license/installation/activation
revolves around that CD/Product Key.
You could not have answered all the authentic questions in the affirmative..
The big one(s) are:
"Product Key Label" <- you do not have the Product Key/CD Key.
"Certificate of Authenticity (COA)" <- Do you have this?
It does not matter if Bill Gates himself created your CD in his home and
deemed it "Authentic" --> the person on eBay either gives you the Product/CD
Key or you bought "data on a CD".