Finding Windows XP OEM number on Computer

I have to reboot Windows XP Home on my friend's computer, I have not formatted it yet. However, before I do so, I'm looking for a way (and hopefully not to download anything) to find the OEM number. She already has the XP Home disk, and just lost the number.

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but unless you are changing something serious on the motherboard, or the motherboard itself, I don't think you'll need that number to reload OS: I just changed a hd on a dell laptop, and put in new memory, and had to reboot w/disk, and they never asked for number...now on my other computer i have changed out motherboard and naturally, then I had to reregister, and even had to call, and convince somebody I wasn't trying to sneak another computer: people who try to cheat *always* say they just replaced the motherboard, and she knew that, but believed, and recognized the same cpu or something or another...

But other than that, there are numerous apps you could download to a CD, and run and get number, once windows was loaded, and they give you 30 days or 3 days, depending, before you have to register...

Again, maybe I misread your post, and more knowledgable MG guy will come by...I've just had *lots* of experience reregistering windows, mostly unpleasant...

Best wishes...

 

Thanks for the reply duckfeet. I found it... I have another question. She has Windows XP Professional (not Home) and I have my Windows XP Home disk. Will her OEM still work when I format it and reload it.

FYI, I've formatted and reloaded Windows a whole lot of times (on my own and friend's comps) and I know I'll need it.

 

Oh you're right: I've found that you never know, some disks even in the home computers I'll need the number, other times I've used acronis mirror copies on another computer and slid by...beats me...I forget and start to worry about it when loading linux, and then realize what I'm doing, and get embarassed....

I did the same thing kind of in reverse, since my laptop had XPhome, and my PC had XPpro, but the laptop disk was in bad shape, and kept giving errors, and I had all kinds of problems, so finally got new HD for it, and also formatted it on other computer, the put HD back in original laptop, loaded it w/XPpro, and only after the first window comes up, after loading all the files, did I put the home xpdisk back in, and it loaded, no problem...not sure if this is what you are asking, but that's what I did, I didn't know if it would 'pass' or not, but it did, so far anyway....

So I guess it would work if you are just formatting it on another computer, and loading it on hers...or were you going to try to load the OS on another computer--on her HD also?: that does cause problems, or so I've been told: I thought of doing that too, but was worryed OEM wouldn't pass muster, it's a more expensive OS, naturally....

I realize how convoluted all the above sounds...makes sense in my head, but somehow doesn't quite translate well to screen

Like I said, somebody will eventually come along her w/more marbles than me... best wishes to you...

 

Your friends XP PRO OEM key will not work with your XP HOME disk! Hope this helps!

 

Try finding WinKeyFinder1.65. Comes as zip file. Helped me find my OEM number

 

This will find it: Magical Jellybean Keyfinder: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Magical_Jelly_Bean_Keyfinder_d2612.html it's found right here at major geeks.

A home key will only work with home, same with a pro key only working with pro.