Fresh XP Install on New HDD

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Guest

I have a registered and up to date Win XP Pro on my machine but want to do a
fresh install onto new HDD then keep old one for storage. I want to avoid
experiencing another fatal HD failure and loosing everything....problem is
only have half of the COA sticker, bit that I have doesn't have my cd key on
it.

Where can I find the cd key on my current system to allow me to re-install??
Surely I don't have to buy a new OS.
 
trumpy said:
I have a registered and up to date Win XP Pro on my machine but want to do a
fresh install onto new HDD then keep old one for storage. I want to avoid
experiencing another fatal HD failure and loosing everything....problem is
only have half of the COA sticker, bit that I have doesn't have my cd key on
it.

Where can I find the cd key on my current system to allow me to re-install??
Click to expand...

get the free Everest Home edition from
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1
which is an excellent general System Info tool, and its Operating System
- Operating System page will tell you the one used

Note that if the machine came with XP installed, this will probably give
a key used in producing an original image, then cloned to all machines
they make. So it is not the one for a reinstall. But then the key will
be on a label on the case of the machine
 
trumpy said:
I have a registered and up to date Win XP Pro on my machine but want to do a
fresh install onto new HDD then keep old one for storage. I want to avoid
experiencing another fatal HD failure and loosing everything....problem is
only have half of the COA sticker, bit that I have doesn't have my cd key on
it.

Where can I find the cd key on my current system to allow me to re-install??
Surely I don't have to buy a new OS.
Click to expand...


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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I ran the program, but couldn't see my key. But I have a different issue. My
original hard disk crashed. Paid someone to recover all the data. Anyone know
how to recover the product key from a disk you don't boot from?
 
Use INNOBATE Product Key Recovery to recover you windows XP Product key. The
software also tells you if you recovered Product Key may be a Generic OEM
Bulk install Product Key, which you can not use to reinstall windows xp.
Better to know and be safe, before you format your Harddisk and then be told
by the Windows XP installer, that the key you have entered is invalid.
 
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