Win XP activation code

[CSULB71]

My son bought a used HP computer that had XP Home Edition with SP2 preloaded and activated at the factory. He got no recovery CD (or anything else) with the PC. I read somewhere that the actviation code is located in the registry. Does anybody know if this is true and where, specifically, would it be? Thanks.

[Sartori]

There are two files that form the activated files

wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak in the folder %systemroot%\system32


Backup them both and if XP ever throws a pouty , you can just replace them , but XP should be able to reactivate anyway unless you change hardware .

This page will help if you need help about this - http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kbase/WindowsTips/WindowsNT/UserTips/Miscellaneous/Ba...ctivation.html

[MOVIEGEEK]

http://pcsupport.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=pcsupport&cdn=compute&tm...eyfinder.shtml

[DarrellS]

My sister bought an HP at a pawn shop three or four years ago and it wouldn't load the OS so we went to the HP website and ordered the recovery CDs for that computer. There were 4 or 8 discs and they cost around $35. If I remember correctly, we didn't have to do the activation with these discs.

[MOVIEGEEK]

If recovery CD's are unavailable then I would buy a XP CD and do a clean install.Better hurry though...XP will not be available after June.

[Sartori]

CLSUB71 - you should have had a sticker with it on the machine , otherwise you might have got a pc that might be blacklisted by Microsoft (as far as support and Genuine Advantage goes) if the seller has reused the license .

[Sartori]

My sister bought an HP at a pawn shop three or four years ago and it wouldn't load the OS so we went to the HP website and ordered the recovery CDs for that computer. There were 4 or 8 discs and they cost around $35. If I remember correctly, we didn't have to do the activation with these discs.

Youre quite correct , my sister did the same too (hers was Dell and they got her some as well for the relatively nominal fee) .

[bendixG15]

................................ I read somewhere that the actviation code is located in the registry. Does anybody know if this is true and where, specifically, would it be? Thanks.

There are a couple of programs that will give you the activation code.
Just download and run the program. Its not long.

My favorite is .... www.magicaljelly.com --> thats a real place. I tried to log on just now and its down.

The second place is the Belarc Advisor .... http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It takes a little longer with this guy because he gives you all kinds of stuff. Just scroll almost to the bottom, and all the keys are there.

[tmelo38]

A few weeks back I went here to buy a restore disc for my laptop:

http://www.restoredisks.com/

You can check it out.

[showtaper]

One of the best "keyfinders" I've used is at:

http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

[CSULB71]

Thanks for the good tips. I tried the 'MagicalJellyBean' site, but the latest version of their Keyfinder app wouldn't completely download (tried 3 times). I downloaded an older version, but when I tried to run it, I got an error message about it causing an invalid page fault in module KERNEL32.dll. So I went to Belarc's site and downloaded their 'Belarc Advisor' app and ran it (on my PC) -- excellent product! There were all my license/product keys, along with a bunch of other useful system info. Thanks BendixG15.
And to others: thanks for the links regarding restore CD's. My son's PC was also a "pawn shop special", and he got no software CD's with it. I just bought Win XP/SP2 to install on my PC, so does he even need restore CD's -- can he just use my CD if he needs to reinstall XP, and use his PC's product key, if necessary?

[TBoneit]

Depends. Usually the XP key that the factory installs will not activate since it comes pre-activated. The dfactory key is not the same as the one on the outside of the PC. The key/licese should be on the side of the HP if not someone did a bad thing to you. Never buy a used PC with no license on it. Restore CDs from the maker will re-iinstall pre-activated.

A different problem is that if you bought a retail XP it will not accept OEM product keys.

[CSULB71]

What I bought is the retail upgrade version, so it won't work for him (I didn't think of that). He definitely needs the restore CD's then. Thanks.

[DarrellS]

Also, the recovery CDs have all the programs and special drivers that came with the PC which a retail copy of XP won't have.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

RockXP
http://www.rockxp.org/

[CSULB71]

The above link didn't work -- got a 404 error message in German. What is it supposed to be?

[Bodyslide]

Try this one

http://www.korben.info/rockxp

[crazy14muzic]

The above link didn't work -- got a 404 error message in German. What is it supposed to be?

take out the last part

http://www.rockxp.org

[Xylob the Destroyer]

D'oh!

[CSULB71]

OK, it worked this time. Thanks.