Product Key Problem

[Kyle_McNabb]

Well the situation is..

My PC came with Windows XP home installed, and a disk for this. I didnt
however get the pass key, and it hasnt been written on the computer
anywhere.

I have since installed a copied version of xp professional , and i
wanted to re-install windows, but didnt have the pass key for the
original home edition.

Does anyone know how i can find out my product key for the XP home
disk??

I really want to install the home edition again, so that I can get
service pack 2, as it won't install with my copied version.

Thanks, Kyle.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You'll have to contact the manufacturer of your
computer and ask for assistance with your issue.
If they cannot help you, then the alternative is to
purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Home
Edition and perform a "clean install".

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

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| Well the situation is..
|
| My PC came with Windows XP home installed, and a disk for this. I didnt
| however get the pass key, and it hasnt been written on the computer
| anywhere.
|
| I have since installed a copied version of xp professional , and i
| wanted to re-install windows, but didnt have the pass key for the
| original home edition.
|
| Does anyone know how i can find out my product key for the XP home
| disk??
|
| I really want to install the home edition again, so that I can get
| service pack 2, as it won't install with my copied version.
|
| Thanks, Kyle.
| --
| Kyle_McNabb

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Well the situation is..

My PC came with Windows XP home installed, and a disk for this. I didnt
however get the pass key, and it hasnt been written on the computer
anywhere.

I have since installed a copied version of xp professional , and i
wanted to re-install windows, but didnt have the pass key for the
original home edition.

Does anyone know how i can find out my product key for the XP home
disk??

I really want to install the home edition again, so that I can get
service pack 2, as it won't install with my copied version.

Thanks, Kyle.

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." It is not on the installation CD
in any way, shape, or form. 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 Belarc
Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html 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.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer; 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

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