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Cheapest way to get a legit XP key?


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Hi all, my aunty has just bought a laptop for my cousin for Christmas, second hand, and they don't know the admin password so can't use it right know (sounds kinda dodgy to me but god knows).

Anyway she's asked if I can help her, but I figured maybe a clean install could be better anyway because she won't want all of the files/programs on there.

Anyhow I was wondering where the best place to get a legit CD key is please? I've looked on eBay but damn that looks to be a lottery. Im thinking/hoping they could be quite cheap right now?

Thank you!

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"i can give you one, i have a old computer with the COD sticker."

Thats nice and all -- but if its an OEM sticker what your suggesting is not legal. Just so you know. I am having a hard time thinking of a Retail Copy, ie one that would not be tied to that hardware that would have a sticker on it. Not saying not possible. But those stickers are normally OEM, does it have a computer maker name on it, or does it say OEM?

Just because your not using the OS that came with the box, does not mean you can use that copy of OS on some other hardware.

Normally I would have to think the machine he bought should have its own sticker. There should be no reason he has to buy anything other than maybe wanting to get the recovery media from the maker, which depending on how old the laptop is prob has a recovery image on it anyway. So for example if Dell, cntl/F11 while booting should be able to restore the image on XP box.

Most any laptop you buy these days would of come with a copy of an OS, I can not think of a place you could of bought one that did not come tied with an OEM copy of the OS

What is the specifics of the laptop, HP, Dell, Gateway, ??? Make and model and such and we can point you to where you can maybe order recovery media - normally a few bucks. Or how to access the recovery image that is stored on the thing, most every single major maker of laptops in the last 5 years has placed recovery image on the HDD.

BTW - Your not going to find a legit copy of it so cheap that it prob wouldn't make sense to put the cost towards a new laptop ;) You see new laptops for like $300 all the time that come with windows 7, so lets say you could buy XP for $50 -- if me I would think that $50 would be better spent on a newer laptop ;)

But like I said the laptop should of came with an OEM copy of the OS licensed too it, so all you need is some media. If say a dell, and you can borrow a OEM copy of their recovery media you can do a clean install without having to put in any key.. OEM install media from the maker of the hardware never requires you to enter a key, atleast any of have ever dealt with, gateway, dell, hp, compaq, etc.

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Why not just burn a password bypass disk and remove it ?

Plenty free easy to use ones with a quick Google

this!

remove the password so you can boot into windows, use a key retriever to get your actual key, reinstall with the same key.

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1.) If your aunt's computer has Windows XP Home Edition, you can login to the admin account and reset the password on other accounts. Boot into Safe Mode (keep pressing F8 before Windows loading screen starts), click on the Admin user, and go to User Account options in Control Panel.

2.) The CD key on the Microsoft sticker on your aunt's computer will NOT work with any XP install CD. You will need an OEM XP Install CD, possibly even specific to the manufacturer who the OEM key is from. For example, you may need a Dell Win XP CD and can't use an HP OEM one.

3.) Check eBay. Beware of sellers having counterfeit software, but if you look at their reputation, you should be able to find a copy just fine.

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I have an unopened copy of WinXP Pro that you're welcome to if you like. PM me with your e-mail and postal addresses... I'll e-mail you the PID so you can do a clean install right away, and send you the box, disk & all via postal mail as well. If you like, feel free to refund my postage costs once you receive it.. if not, no worries. :)

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Many thanks all for the replies! Unfortunately I did try removing the admin password but struggled, so figured a fresh install would be nice anyway :) Have PM'd Iflashl though, thank you sir!

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<<Thread Closed>> Guys comeon, stop trying to give out Technet/MSDN/MSDNAA and other types of keys that you have no right to give out, I saw one reply where the guy was willing to give him a legit copy and even mail him the disk that should be enough. As well as other replies about how to get past the password.

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