XP product key!

I recently purchased a second user PC off Ebay. I find now that the loaded XP professional is an illegal copy so this could cause problems later. I have my own version of XP home Edition but have lost the product key. Can anyone suggest an easy way out of this problem?
Thanks for any help.
Ebbo

 

This utility will tell your your CD's product key.

Also, you can always call Microsoft for a replacement. They're relatively cheap.

 

There is no product key on the Windows XP installation disc. Belarc Advisor, RockXP and other Windows keyfinders are only useful after a finished installation. He needs to find the COA or get an new one from MS.

 

ebbo, you'll either have to contact Micro$$oft and see if they can do something, or buy another copy.

Sorry, but there are no other legal options.

And welcome to MajorGeeks.

 

As of February of last year, replacement keys weighed in at about 10 dollars USD. Not too shabby. They may have gone up since, but I doubt it.

 

In the same boat there, I should've known something was up when those b******* who sold me the rig didn't give me an installation CD, or an OEM recovery CD...........

 

You should contact the people you bought the PC from. By eBay rules if they sell a computer with an OS installed it is supposed to be a legal installation meaning you should have received the COA at the very least.