MnFastBoat

is there anyway to get your windows PRODUCT KEY number off the computer?
I want to restore my main computer and I know it will ask for this.
I cannot find the Windows ME Manual that has this info
I really do NOT want to go and buy a new OP system.
I have an older Win 98 disk, but would rather not step back into that.

jtmiller02

oh dang, ME= really crappy
98= worse

I don't think theres a way to get it off there that I know of. I used to have a copy of XP around here somewhere, but if your computer has ME theres no telling if all your hardware etc will work with XP.

MnFastBoat

that is antother reason why I don't want to change OP systems
my computer is about 4 years old and I need more memory to run anything else.
I barely have enouhg memory to run what I have now

But on the other hand, if someone knew everything would work and could BORROW or burn me a copy I would be appreciative

MnFastBoat

Just thought about this.
I wonder if I could use the product code from a DIFFERENT Win ME??
I have win ME on the laptop thanks to a friend who gave me a copy. I have the product key for that. hummmmmm
restore from the factory computer and then use that product code??

jtmiller02

Or if you can just use that copy of ME it would work for sure. Your system backup discs will no longer work after that on the computer, however without the key they are worthless anyways. Plus most of them install a lot of "crap" on your machine you don't need.

ragtop409

yes any KEY shouls work, but you should be OK with XP also might take a long time to lad it on but you will be glad you did. I have XP running on a computer I got in 1998 and it is a PII 400 with 128 megs surfs the web and burns CD just fine just cant do highend photo work or look at 50 windows at once. Rag's

wwwTOPDJcom

actually 98 second edition is better than ME,
you can find the key in the registry, or I can send you one

McGary911

I've never had Windows ME or 98, but i know that win2k has a file in the system folder with the prod key. c:\winnt\system32\$winnt$.inf Not sure if XP has this file? you can do a search within the system32 folder. From a cmd prompt go to your system 32 folder. type this: findstr /i "product" *.inf i THINK your machine should have findstr.exe on it. this will list all .inf files with the word product in it. just open each one on the list in notepad.....you may find your key there. Good luck....

Falcon

Check out
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
I build my own computers and also work on friends and relatives computers. I use this to check key numbers before a reinstall.