Where to find XP CD Key/Activation Code???

Question

I own two Dell systems, my Dimension 8200 and my older model from about three years ago, a T700f I believe is the model number.  Anyway, my older system which came with Windows 98 from Dell suffered a catastrophic error (my Mom uses that system) and so I had to re-install the OS for it.  I decided instead of installing old (and bad) 98 again, I would install my Windows XP from Dell, since both systems are Dell so the dell-specific software should logically work on both Dell systems.  Indeed it did and the older Dell now runs Windows XP as well.  *However, it is telling us we have 30 (now 12) days to enter the CD Key/Activation Key.  I know that the key is on the back of the little plastic jacket my XP disc came in, but for the life of me I can't find it.  I've looked everywhere over the past two+ weeks.  However I remember entering the code into this system many months ago when it suffered a similar error and needed the OS re-installed.  That means that the key is somewhere in my system here, yes?  Where can I locate it so I can input it into my older Dell as well?

jmwills · Answer

Your copy of XP that came with the newer machine is for that machine only. As you are finding out, you can indeed install the software, but at the end of 30 days, without activation, the computer will not operate. If you try and activate, the "big computer in the sky" will recognize that key has alrady been used and not allow activation.

Buy an upgrade copy of XP and do a clean install on the old machine.

WilsonFrontier · Answer

*Sigh* That's rather stupid.  Well, it is Microsoft, what else do you expect?

Windows General

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