Installing XP Without Product Key

My computer has been unstable for some time now and finally packed it in. I have begun to reinstall windows XP with a borrowed disk and it has (as expected) asked me for a CD key. I don't have one, and obviously I can't recover my old one.

If Windows funtions are compromised by "Genuine Advantage" junk later on thats fine, I just want to be able to complete the install.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Checkout: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341&Product=winxp

It has the steps needed to perform an in-place re-install so a XP key is not needed.

 

Hey Dan O, thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately I think I've messed up pretty bad. I've already reformatted and gone for the full installation. XP is waiting for me to type in the key (I'm posting from a laptop).

 

Then you will need to contact Microsoft for a new key code, which they will generally do once.