Windows product key

[David H]

I recently got a warning my windows xp pro has no product key. I turns out the place I bought it installed a dubious version and they've since closed down.

It has no effect on performance besides popping up on startup, but would be nice if I could get rid of the popup at least. Any ideas?

[spacechimp]

I'm sure if you go up to a 'non-chain' computer shop they'll help you out.

[David H]

I know they will, but I am hoping against hope to get it done free, there should be some type of download without having to reinstall the whole lot or pay them for a patch. It's all profit otherwise (at my expense!).

It already crashed the whole HDD once and cost me not just money but all my documents were wiped. I'd prefer not to pay for a fresh XP as nothing else is affected.

[Postdog]

You are right, it's all profit, but it clearly wasn't Microsoft profiting, so why expect them to bail you out?

[vehelpfulguy]

I believe that if XP has no product key eventually it will disable itself so be ready for that.

Unless you can find a person or company to "give" you a product key you may have no option but to buy a genuine copy of XP and use that product key.

[Bob A Job]

I had a friend in the same situation as you, and she ended up having to buy windows. her computer seemed to run fine ehile she was getting the warnings about not having a key but then all of a sudden (co-incidence) here firewall and virus protection switched itself off. and she got herself a nasty case of computer flu.
Aside from getting a cheap windows from E-bay, you could see if someone has a copy with no plans to go net connected. two computers can use the same key as long as one never connects.

[spacechimp]

There may or may not be a program called cracksearcher.exe which may or may not tell you how to 'eradicate' this problem.

[David H]

Thanks guys, I've had a couple of tips, and now need to find where to enter the code if I get a good one. I'll keep following those up and will return with my result.

[David H]

This may work http://www.miscsoftware.com/winprod.php

and may help anyone else in a similar situation. Costs a few bob but not extortionate, and a lot less than Windows if it actually works.

[spacechimp]

But with the program which may or may not exist you may or may not need to pay.