CD key to an OS...

I may be stupid for asking but I'm in a little jam. I bought Windows XP from a fool who ripped off the cd key and there is no way of getting it from him, it's lost.
Is there any possible way I can recover that CD key so I can install it on a system I'm building?

 

Best solution, I think, is to buy a legit CD and install it as per the EULA.
Sorry you got 'ripped off '.

 

Have you got the genuine MS XP CD, or is it an "illegal" copy?
Your post does not make this clear to me. I'm

Bazza

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It is a genuine Windows XP disk, with all the fancy stuff on it. All I would need is the cd key and I'd be set to go.

 

If it is genuinely "genuine" then speak to Microsoft to get a key - otherwise you'll be out of luck here.

 

Yep tell Microsoft about your situation and you might be lucky and not have to pay for another cd key. But thats as far as we can help.