Finding WinXP Product Key from existing installation....

jpe20

Hi folks,

My win xp installation in now nearly 3yrs old and I am now experiencing possible "maintenance issues"!!! A clean install of win xp seems the way to go. (... I've tried all the spyware tools, memory upgrades, even changed the power supply and numerous other things!!!) . 3yrs is too long it seems to have a trouble free system.

I have installed a new 250GB hard drive that I purchased a few months ago from Aldi with the intention of doing a fresh windows install on that new drive whilst keeping my old installation intact on the old drive. (This is incase the clean installation still gives me problems therefore refocusing the problem area on my hardware.).

I have used nLite to slipstream a bootable winxp sp2 disc from my OEM winxp sp1 alongside SP2 for security reasons.

My problem is the Product Key (I cannot find it on any of the documentation provided by SIMPLY COMPUTERS .... its a SystemMax system) thought the recovery cd (aka OEM winxp) is supplied alongside the MS manual. Is there anyway that I can read the product key off my current win xp setup?????? Just that I do not want to waste money phoning up a techie helpline at 50p+ per min.

Or can I wimply copy some files from my windows system32 directory containing my activation information to avoid this????????

I WANT TO AVOID WRITING OVER MY CURRENT WIN XP INSTALLATION!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE NEVER REINSTALLED B4

The hassle in backing up my current drive is too much I would rather try a fresh install on a new drive and see if that eliminates my problems first.. A reinstall over the top of my current win xp installation is really a LAST LAST RESORT.

Hope you can help

Any tips to ease the "pain" will be appreciated!!!!!


Jules

jpe20

Oh .... by the way .... I have googled for this .... . It is just that I fo not trust possible key finder programs that may sort me out as they may be full of spyware/malware.

I am just off to see if there is any numbers on the back of my computer ... major hassle as it is virtually hard wired into my desk!!!!!!

jules

quoia

Just trust that this is OK.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Browntoa

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

I've used this one

Recover Product Keys of Windows and MS Office

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

no spyware

jpe20

Great I have my product key!!!!

Thanks

Any tips on the installation stuff appreciated!!!!!

Jules

jpe20

Thanx folks

.... the "thanks" button don't seem to be working???

Chippy_Minton

Ah, but is it your product key, or the OEM's generic key? See http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm.

xycom1

There should be a Microsoft sticker with the code on if it's a genuine installation, on the side or back of your computer.

You can also get the key within the registry.