My computer was fixed by a person who installed xp pro on it but he didn't have a validation key. Well i found my original install cd with the xp home edition and i want to do a clean install to install that version because i have a validation key how do i do this?

Use a product key recovery program to find your lost key. An example of such a program is Product Key Explorer

2

Install the program by double-clicking on the file you just downloaded and going through the installation process.

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Open the program when ready and then click "select computer" and make sure it says "Local Computer." Click on the "Find Keys" button.

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Locate the program that you installed through your CD-ROM. Next to the product name should be your product key.

From here: http://www.nsauditor.com/product_key_finder.html

Good luck.

Hello,

Your license is still valid but you have to call Microsoft ( 1-800-805-4440) and provide them your product id so that they can generate the a new windows XP key for you or may be they will offer you Windows 7. Anyhow, you do not have to buy a new Windows XP key.

Regards,
Consultant17

If you are testing this on an already installed windows XP it will report as incorrect. On a new installation it will work. By new I mean a removed and a replaced partition.
It is an emergency installation when the original has been lost. It also somehow ties up with the original issued number by its sequencing. MS can tell you the original code from this series of alpha numerals if this series of alphas are quoted.

Thanks for using FIXYA

Call the software company

Did you register your copy of Windows? If so my guess is you have an outdated copy of Silver light which is a Windows validation program or a virus. run a virus scan from a cd/dvd or floppy. If that is clean then go through the registration process.

Is that the original cd came off on the box when you buy it. If yes it should be ok.. If not the the cd is wrong..there is no way you can use the cd key anymore. you need a new OE with cd key.

you can install xp from any xp disk as long as you have a valid xp key.if your pc was purchased with xp installed you probably have a valid cd key on a sticker youll find on the underside of your pc .if you aint got one go into any pc shop and look for a pc installed with xp(theyre all pre-installed with either xp,xp pro or vista) on laptops look on the underside and write down the number on towers look at the sides near the bottom.if shop assistant ask do you need help say no just looking and taking down some details cos thinking of purchasing,

Hi notsoscrewed- As long as you have your original XP disk you can save everything. First, make sure your pc is bootable from your cd drive. If you know it is good. If not, when your pc boots it should say something like hit F2 or <del> to enter setup. Go into the BIOS and find your boot options and make sure your cd is listed as bootable and listed to boot before your hard drive. Then save and exit. When your system reboots make sure you have your XP cd in your cd drive and your pc will say press any key to boot from cd rom. Press any key and follow these steps:

You must boot from your XP CD. Please make sure it is the same version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer (ex. XP Home cannot repair XP Professional). Place the CD in your CDROM and start your computer. Newer versions will work as well (ie. Windows XP Pro SP2 CD will work on an older WinXP Pro SP1 installation)
Before the Windows logo appears, you will be asked to press any key to boot from CD, so do just that.
A blue screen will appear and will begin loading XP setup from the CD.
Choose the FIRST option, NOT recovery console.


Choose F8 to continue

Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation or install a fresh copy of Windows XP


That should be it. Windows XP will appear to be installing itself for the first time, but it will retain all of your data and settings. Just follow the prompts, have your CD-KEY handy . You may have to install XP updates again and reactivate XP but small price to pay and little time to be able to save all your software and info. Let me know what happens.

If this solves your problem PLEASE rate this as fixed. If you need more help with this just add a comment and I'll be more than happy to assist you further. Thanks.

Jeff

At the windows login screen there should be a link or button you can click on and enter your key. Sounds like the person that fixed it didn't validate it. Did you install new hardware? If so, you'll probably have to call microsoft to validate.

The only fix (that I know of) is to do a repair install using an XP Pro CD. You could try to borrow one from a friend of coworker, or ask an IT person at work (if you have one), as they are certain to have one. Put it in your drive, make sure your BIOS is set to boot from CD, and when the menu comes up, press ENTER to select "Install Windows XP Professional", and then select "R" for a repair install. From there, it will look like you are reinstalling XP, but it is in fact just repairing the one on your hard drive (make sure you have an XP key [usually located on the bottom of the laptop] before you do this, as you will need one).

Sorry that that doesn't really help if you don't have an XP CD, but without one, there isn't too much you can do without a lot of technical/command line expertise.