Lost Windows XP Key....HELP NEEDED

[rsmith6621]

One of my PCs hardrive gave up the ghost just before a move to a new home two months ago and since I had no time to reformat and reinstall I just packed it up and have waited till last night to set it up and to the reinstall at then new home.

Question...during the move apparently the ink on the XP key sticker that was attached to the pc had some wear and two of the characters have rubbed of install key sticker. I do not have anything with the key written on it elsewhere.

Anyone have a clue how to get a new key???


Thanks

[rcrush]

1. Theres a program you can download that will read your Xp key.

Lemme see if I can remember what it is.

[rcrush]

2. Try this.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/tp/topkeyfinder.htm

[RoyGBiv]

6. Magic Jelly Bean ...

It's in your list and the one I'd recommend.

http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

[HopeHoops]

3. Just don't try calling M$'s "give me your credit card number" support line.

All they'll do is suggest you buy Windows 7 and you'll be out whatever it is they charge now.

HINT: With ANY install CD for ANY product with a key, write the key on the clear front of the jewel case you store it in. I also write it on the CD itself. Use a fine-point permanent marker.

[Deja Q]

4. Ditto for other products, even if they just came out, have big bugs, and one reports them

Yo, my clients cannot wait 18 months for a fix.

F microsoft's S.

[HopeHoops]

5. LOL! Yeah, and today they are denying that W7 upgrades cause the "black screen of death".

M$ has ALWAYS denied their upgrades cause problems - but curiously, a NEW and IMPORTANT update appears a month or so later and the problem mysteriously goes away. If everything is fine and you apply an update and then everything is NOT fine, where do you think the problem came from, Jumanji? There's a simple reason they can't admit they are responsible - $$$$$$ in lost sales.

Their tech support is also perhaps the worst in the industry. I worked for a company with a "premier" support package and they STILL wanted a credit card number for "backup payment" in case the contract wasn't valid. This is an alleged computer company. You would THINK they could tell if one of their own support contracts was valid! You have to pay in advance for those. The problem is that the "support" was in a call bank in India or somewhere and all they had available was a decision tree program that begins with something like "Is the computer plugged in?"

[blogslut]

7. I like this program

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

It will give you all kinds of information about the hardware/software on your PC, including your OEM number.