Do I need my product key to perform a Windows XP Pro "repair" installation?

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My version of windows XP Pro has recently stopped booting. It stops at a black screen with a blinking white underscore. I have been reading through articles and from what I interpret I should do a windows "repair" installation. Is this correct? I MUST SAVE ALL DATA!!! However my product key was thrown away along with all of the other contents that came with my version of windows other that the original cd. Can I do a windows "repair" installation without a product key? If not is there anyway I can recover it from my partition (I am using Knoppix to access and back up all of my files)? Or if not, what website can I go to to retrieve my product key? or what number can I call? Thanks
 
MB
download Aida32 from here
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Reviews/r847.html
or your favorite d/load site
K

MB said:
My version of windows XP Pro has recently stopped booting. It stops at a
Click to expand...
black screen with a blinking white underscore. I have been reading through
articles and from what I interpret I should do a windows "repair"
installation. Is this correct? I MUST SAVE ALL DATA!!! However my product
key was thrown away along with all of the other contents that came with my
version of windows other that the original cd. Can I do a windows "repair"
installation without a product key? If not is there anyway I can recover it
from my partition (I am using Knoppix to access and back up all of my
files)? Or if not, what website can I go to to retrieve my product key? or
what number can I call? Thanks
 
If your XP is a OEM version you must contact your vendor. If it is a boxed
retail version look here:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[ln];326246


--
Steve C. Ray

MB said:
My version of windows XP Pro has recently stopped booting. It stops at a
Click to expand...
black screen with a blinking white underscore. I have been reading through
articles and from what I interpret I should do a windows "repair"
installation. Is this correct? I MUST SAVE ALL DATA!!! However my product
key was thrown away along with all of the other contents that came with my
version of windows other that the original cd. Can I do a windows "repair"
installation without a product key? If not is there anyway I can recover it
from my partition (I am using Knoppix to access and back up all of my
files)? Or if not, what website can I go to to retrieve my product key? or
what number can I call? Thanks
 
Greetings --

You'll need the Product Key in order to perform a repair
installation.

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 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 whomever sold you the
PC; 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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having both at once. -- RAH
 
Do you an AMD motherboard by chance? I had those symptoms for several
weeks when I first bought this PC. In my case, the dealer had to rebuild
it as an Intel before it would work properly. AMD and VIA seem to have
the most problems with this. Visit http://forums.viaarena.com/ if this
applies to you.
I'd suggest contacting whoever built it (assuming it wasn't you).
Perhaps they can retrieve your data for you.

Barbara
 
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