How do I extract the key from XP Home?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave
  • Start date Start date
D

Dave

The computer was powered off during shutdown, and trashed the SYSTEM under
c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\. I thought that I could just copy the SYSTEM
file from another XP Home machine here, but the install repair option won't
copy that file.

My next attempt was to re-install XP Home onto the same drive, and opted to
create a new \WINDOWS2 folder to not loose our existing data. Then the
install procedure asked for the key! We looked all over the place, but you
know, we still have the disk but the darn key is gone. I guess Bill got me
again. Unless there is a way to find the key on the hard drive from the
first installation that has a bad SYSTEM file. Do you know how to get the
key from the drive? If you could let me know which file contains the key, I
should be able to copy the file off anto a running machine and open it with
Ultra-Edit...
 
If your computer is still operational:

Retrieve your Windows XP CD key
http://michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]


If your computer is not operational:

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

OEM versions of Windows XP are not supported by
Microsoft. Only "retail versions" of Windows XP are
supported by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot issue you
a replacement Product Key for an OEM version.... only
if it were a "retail version".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

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


| The computer was powered off during shutdown, and trashed the SYSTEM under
| c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\. I thought that I could just copy the SYSTEM
| file from another XP Home machine here, but the install repair option won't
| copy that file.
|
| My next attempt was to re-install XP Home onto the same drive, and opted to
| create a new \WINDOWS2 folder to not loose our existing data. Then the
| install procedure asked for the key! We looked all over the place, but you
| know, we still have the disk but the darn key is gone. I guess Bill got me
| again. Unless there is a way to find the key on the hard drive from the
| first installation that has a bad SYSTEM file. Do you know how to get the
| key from the drive? If you could let me know which file contains the key, I
| should be able to copy the file off anto a running machine and open it with
| Ultra-Edit...
 
-----Original Message-----
The computer was powered off during shutdown, and trashed the SYSTEM under
c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\. I thought that I could just copy the SYSTEM
file from another XP Home machine here, but the install repair option won't
copy that file.

My next attempt was to re-install XP Home onto the same drive, and opted to
create a new \WINDOWS2 folder to not loose our existing data. Then the
install procedure asked for the key! We looked all over the place, but you
know, we still have the disk but the darn key is gone. I guess Bill got me
again. Unless there is a way to find the key on the hard drive from the
first installation that has a bad SYSTEM file. Do you know how to get the
key from the drive? If you could let me know which file contains the key, I
should be able to copy the file off anto a running machine and open it with
Ultra-Edit...
Click to expand...

hi there, the easiest way to get ur serial key is to
look on ur case, normally when your computer is build
they have to stick the stiker with ur serial onto the
case.
 
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