Reinstalling Windows XP - key issues - please help!

Question

My harddrive recently crashed and being somewhat of a novice when it comes to rebuilding a machine, I just wiped the harddrive without saving my product keys.   To complicate matters, I bought my Dell 8100 in 2001 prior to XP release.  It had Windows Me and used their coupon to upgrade to XP.   Here's my situation:   My computer is fine.  I have the Windows Me disk and product key for this. My question is that when I do a full, clean install from the Windows XP disk, I am worried that since I can't find the product key for this that it won't work and I'll have to go out and either buy the full retail version or a new PC.   Is the product key embedded on this CD or will I run into problems.   Any advice would be very appreciated.   Thanks.

Denny Denham · Answer

ade1974,

If the XP Upgrade CD is a Dell OEM copy you should be able to install it without entering the Product ID or subsequently activating the installation. On the other hand, if you cannot you will have to purchase a new XP Upgrade CD. You will know early into the reinstallation process whether or not your existing CD will work. At this point, trying to determine in advance whether the key is embedded doesn't accomplish anything.

xeriouxi · Answer

Usually OEM discs will have the product key already embedded into the setup so as long as it's the original OS disc that came with your PC you should be fine. Usually the product key should be stuck somewhere on the top/back of your PC.

ade1974 · Answer

The problem is that the original OS sent was Windows ME and I am worried that the key isn't embedded on the Windows XP upgrade disk.

xeriouxi · Answer

As far as I know it will automatically be on there. There is a way to actually get your key from your current ME installation from the registry. If you Google it you should find different ways. ;)

RBee · Answer

I also have a Dimension 8100 and in the process of doing a clean reinstall of XP Home. ME came on my computer and a tech from Dell walked me through a clean install 2 months after I bought it. It is time to clean some junk out so I am in the middle of trying this for the first time.

While looking through all the stuff that came with computer and upgrade of XP I discovered a 11 page booklet with a green cover that says "For distribution only with a new PC. Inside the back cover of booklet is a label that I was suppose to place above the original Windows ME label on the computer. I never did that and just found this by accident last night!

If you have that green booklet, look in the back cover for you product key.

Hope this helps.

Windows General

Reinstalling Windows XP - key issues - please help!

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