Help please, how to recover XP key in BIOS mode?

[bluefish]

My daughters PC had a virus, it's now cleared but it's asking her for the XP product key. I've typed the number off the sticker but it didn't work. Phoned Microsoft and we've worked out that although the sticker on the PC is for XP home, she has XP Pro installed (Her mostly - absent dad got it off a friend for her). We don't have the Pro discs and have been quoted £250 for a new install of Windows 7. The computer is only basic, its an Asus Eee Box B202 and for what she uses it for, it's perfect so don't really want to pay £250.... I've been told that there is a way to use "Magical Jellybean" to recover the key directly from the computer? It won't let me go past the logon screen so i cant download it on her PC. I've got it onto a USB drive using mine, but can't open it on hers. She has "Splashtop" browser on the computer and I can see the file this way but can't open it to run it. I can enter BIOS but don't know what to do when I'm in it! I'm a novice when it comes to these things so please be gentle with me...

 

Thank you in advance :-)

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

she has XP Pro ............dad got it off a friend for her

This is why Microsoft are suggesting that you buy a legal version. The XP Pro version that she has installed is obviously a cause for concern for Microsoft otherwise they would be happy to help.

We cannot help you with the XP Pro product key - sorry.

 

Do you have the original XP Home installation disk or recovery disks - again for the XP Home installation?

If so we can use these.

 

We can advise you how to get the data off the hard drive if you don't know how.

[bluefish]

Sorry i wasn't very clear... he got the computer off a friend, the copy of XP has been confirmed by Microsoft as genuine but we don't have the discs at all.. The guy at Microsoft told me that they don't offer support for XP at all and to contact Asus :-(

[KenB]

the copy of XP has been confirmed by Microsoft as genuine

Not sure how they could do this without the product code or access to the machine ??

 

Important notice for users of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3): The support for this product ends April 8, 2014

http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1173

This is from the Microsoft site ( link above )

Support runs out in 2014 - not 2012 I know this applies to security updates - but if they are providing those then they should also help with the Product Key.

Suggest you give them a ring again.

[bluefish]

when i tried to activate it, the code on the screen that i read out to him is how he identified it as XP pro and said it wasn't pirated... not sure how he knows by that number but it's what he told me. I also thought they'd be able to help but he said as I didn't have the disc he couldn't help. So if i called them and just left out the details on the sticker which is XP home, they should be able to help? Sorry if i'm a bit slow... :-(

[KenB]

So if i called them and just left out the details on the sticker which is XP home, they should be able to help?

I am afraid they will not be able to help with the XP Home product key as you have XP Pro now.

I cannot understand if they say the O/S is legal why they cannot give you a product code for your installation.

 

The Product Code is held within the registry of the Operating System.

It is hidden and encrypted ( as far as I know )

This is why products like Magic Jellybean are useful - if you can boot up the system.

 

Another option is to contact Asus and request XP Home recovery disks.

Your Product Code off the sticker will identify the machine to them.

They will cost you - but nowhere near £250