XP Installation Serial Number Problem Thingy

Ayup All,</p>

Just had to reinstall XP and a message comes up giving me 30 days to enter the serial number - which I don't have. My computer come with it pre-installed and no disc so have had to borrow one but i have no serial number. Is there a way around this where by I can still get access to Windows Update facilities after installation?</p>

Cheers.</p>

 

Your Stumped

Without the installation code you can't activate the copy of windows, it will work for 30 days then just stop, nada,,,,

Only way round it is to get a copy of XP Pro Corporate which does not require activation BUT still requires a number... Computer fair springs to mind, but,,, really you could do with a kosher Windows so you can keep up to date with the patches, fixes etc.

 

RE: Your Stumped

I've got a pirated copy of XP Pro which I haven't used yet as I thought I'd try a proper disc - how might I go about getting this number then?

 

Where did you get your computer from? If it was a legitimate shop, they should have provided you with the serial. Try going back to them. Or trying calling microsoft. If you registered your previous copy, they should have the details, and be able to re-activitate assuming its on the same computer. But... good luck with microsoft call centres and being on hold.

 

It is legit, it was from Dixons, but there is no sticker on it and I can't be arsed with call centres.</p>

How about if I just wrote down the serial off the microsoft sticker on another PC that is using XP? Would that work?</p>

 

Nope, it checks with microsoft. You need your unique number.
Have you got any of the stuff that came with it? There should be a little shrink wrapped pad thing with the code on, even if you didnt get a disk.

Although if you dont get a disk, you usually have a system restore built into the computer. You just stick in a special floppy disk that comes with the computer and it all goes back to exactly how you got it.

 

I had a similar problem...

where my 30 day period ran out and i thought i was screwed..i then phoned up micrsoft who gave me a new number to enter..problem solved

 

No, I didn't get any discs - there is no floppy drive, and I can't find any of the paperwork. If the worse comes to the worse I'll have to install W2K.</p>

I'm sure that there must be a work around somewhere - afterall how do so many people get pirated copies of XP on their PCs?</p>