Windows XP installation problem

• Pierce wrote on 2012-09-16 04:09
  Well I'm trying to install XP as my main OS due to hardware restrictions.
  
  Thing is, I lost my XP activation key a long time ago... where could that box possibly be, but I still have the CD. Everything goes well until set up asks for the validation key... is there a way to find it?
• Taycat wrote on 2012-09-16 06:31
  1. Go to school.
  2. Do the steps to finding registry.
  3. ????
  4. Profit.
  
  Or try a VB and go from there?
• Osayidan wrote on 2012-09-16 12:37
  Windows XP is fully installed and boots up to the login, and when you login you need to activate or it won't work?
  Or there isn't even a login yet?
  If there's a login you can try to remote access the registry and hope required services are active and firewall lets it pass.
  
  Otherwise try this
  Make yourself a BartPE bootable Windows XP disk or ISO: http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
  Add this plugin to it: http://regeditpe.sourceforge.net/
  boot with it and use it.
• Pierce wrote on 2012-09-16 15:43

  Quote from Osayidan;952160:

  Windows XP is fully installed and boots up to the login, and when you login you need to activate or it won't work?
  Or there isn't even a login yet?
  If there's a login you can try to remote access the registry and hope required services are active and firewall lets it pass.
  
  Otherwise try this
  Make yourself a BartPE bootable Windows XP disk or ISO: http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
  Add this plugin to it: http://regeditpe.sourceforge.net/
  boot with it and use it.

  
  
  Windows XP boots, but immediately asks for the CD to complete installation. Then asks for the key... so no login.
  
  

  Otherwise try this

  
  
  I see.
  
  Update:[SPOILER="Spoiler"] Okay I managed to load the hive I needed. It isn't there yet.[/SPOILER] Abort attempt, will find another solution to installing XP.
  
  Thanks for the idea Osay.