You've probably heard this before, but please try to help. My computer was suffering from a whole other problem, to the point where when I logged on, after 1/10 of a second, it would just log me back off. I couldn't even log on. So to fix that and the other problems, it was suggested I do a repair install, to just fix the Windows system files. Well, it came time to enter in my Product Key... I have the real Windows CD (it's shiny/metallic), and can't find the box. And I hear that each code is unique. So that's a problem. I believe we got this computer at least 5 or 6 years ago. Since XP came out in 2001, I'm honestly not sure if it was preinstalled on this computer. I know that *somewhere*, we at least *used* to have the green box that the Windows XP software came in, which would have the product key. I can't find it, though. Also, the computer has a sticker on the side, with a 25-digit Product Key listed, exactly in the format that the reinstall wants, but it says it's invalid...I assume that it's because that's the key for the preinstalled version, and I'm trying to install from a CD that we bought later. So I'm stuck...I have a legal XP CD, but no Product Key for it, and I have a Product Key, but no CD for it. Is there anything I can do, without resorting to buying another XP software package or doing something illegal? Thanks.

Go to this google page and use the one that suits you. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=xp+key&btnG=Google+Search http://computervitals.com/

It seems like those links give you small programs to download which will tell you your product key. But I can't do that on my other machine...I need the key to install Windows, and I need Windows to use those programs!

You can try contacting Microsoft and explain the problem to them. You say you have another computer? If it is XP you can use the same key it has, until your other one turns up.

You can't legally use the key from the other computer. You'd have activation problems anyway. See if you can boot into safe mode (by pressing F8 while booting). If you're able to logon in safe mode, you can use one of those key finders. Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.

I could try booting into Safe Mode, but... Right now, on that computer, it's in the middle of the Windows installation (at the point where it needs the Key, obviously). If I just manually shut it down, so I can restart in Safe Mode, will that totally screw up the installation?