i forgot to put the product key in for window xp before i reset the system. can i put it in afterwards. How?

Hello, my study is Michael. i have a hp mini netbook and i tryed to reset or restore the system with the disc that came with it. i forgot to place the product key in for window xp. it states “if you want to place in product key now click yes. i do but when i click yes, nothing happens and now it wont go past the background pic.

admin on February 6, 2010 | Filed Under Software

4 Comments

tempo1 on February 8th, 2010

You will have 30 days to activate XP before it ceases to “play”. It will remind you with a clickable balloon from the Systray on a regular basis

Michael_W on February 11th, 2010

I think you might have to reload and drop it in during the install.

But personally, I don’t think the issue is with the product key not being in there. I think the issue is more along the lines of a corrupted or missing file that is needed to boot properly.

Try clicking No though and see if it boots. If so, once in Windows, it will prompt you to give a product key before the 30day time limit.

Mobashir Ahmed on February 13th, 2010

Step 1: Log on to your PC computer with an account that has administrative privileges.

Step 2: Open the Start menu, click on the “Run” icon and type “regedit” into the text box. Hit “Enter” to launch the Windows registry editor.

Step 3: Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents section of your computer’s registry database.

Step 4: Right-click on “OOBETimer” in the open window and choose “Modify.”

Step 5: Change any value in the pop-up window and click “OK” to deactivate your copy of Windows XP.

Step 6: Open the Start menu, go to the “Run” option again and enter “%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a” into the text field. Then press “Enter” to open the Windows activation program.

Step 7: Click “Next” and then choose the “Change Product Key” option.

Step 8: Enter the new Windows XP license key that you want to use and click “Update” to save the changes.

Henry on February 15th, 2010

Don’t bother WAITING for the thing to tell you when its due. Download Jelly bean Key Finder for XP. Run it, it will show you your actual xp key, and have an option if you would like to change the key. All you have to do is type the Legitimate, purchased serial key number and press change. and thats it. your done.