Windows XP Pro Activation w/o CDs or original product key?

Either HP or Microsoft. But....is there a sticker anywhere on the pc with the activation code on it? You could also use magic jellybean, it finds most activation codes for software already installed on your computer.

The first is that HP places a COA Certific of Authenticity on every box that they make and this has the Product key on it a group of Letters & Numbers of 5 characters in 5 groups.

This is the Product Key and according to HP it should be for XP Home.

Now the real problem HP uses a Volume License Copy of XP which doesn't need Activation or you to enter the Product Key so I suppose the question here is how did this copy of XP get onto this machine? Usually HP has a Hidden Partition on the HDD which is a Recovery Partition which can be used to reload the system to As New Condition or as it came from the Factory. The way to do this is in the Users Manual which if you don't have is available for download from here

http://h20000.www2.hp .com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual&lang=en&cc=us&docIndexId=64180&taskId=115&prodTypeId=12454&prodSeriesId=362557#7

remember to remove the space from between hp and the .com for a working link.

Col

Yes, this computer should have Windows XP Home on it. However, according to my uncle (grandfather's brother), the computer had a virus on it in 2009 that wiped out the hard drive. A friend of my grandfather had the computer restored and Windows XP Pro is now on it. We have no original CDs or manuals.

EvaluateSoftware.com still sells Windows XP Pro: http://www.evaluesoftware.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=164

I purchased from them a few years ago (for a different software title) and didn't have a problem.

I would call (or e-mail) them first and ask if the copy of Windows XP includes the product key. I know it sounds silly but since these are HP and Dell OEM branded versions it may not include the product key decal.

1: Determine if the hidden restore partition still exists on the hard drive by pressing F10 as the PC starts. There is a chance the dumbo who installed the Pro copy may have left the hidden partition untouched. If it's there just follow the instructions for a full restoration back to as new.
2: Find/buy/borrow a copy of the genuine CD for that 'particular' model of HP PC. These CD's check for the PC's idividual hardware tattoo before installing. Once this check is passed the CD will install a fully activated copy of the OS and other software for that model PC as with Option 1. (note it must be that exact model of HP, a Pro CD from another model probably won't install)
3: If the HP / Microsoft Certificate of Authority with the Key printed on it is still stuck to the PC case then almost any OEM XP Home CD will accept this Key and install properly. In this case you need only borrow/copy an OEM CD to install from.
4: Obtain/buy a 'Pro' license key sticker and use that to activate the present Pro install.

Options 1: to 2: will give you a freshly minted PC as came out of the box, drivers in place, all ready to go. You will have some updates to install (hundreds depending on the service pack the PC came with) but it will all happen with little interaction by yourself.
Option 3: Will give you a 'legal' activated copy of Home, but you may have to then download drivers etc from HP to get a fully working PC. You won't get any bundled software.
Option 4: Is dodgy legally if the sticker is a recycled one and like Option 3: you may have to get the drivers etc from HP, and no bundled software.

Note 1: if the PC is used in a domestic environment there is absolutely ''no'' advantage using Pro over Home.
Note 2: Option 3 will give a better running PC as it won't be loaded down with all the HP crapware/trials/bloatware they come infected with out of the box.

Best

You probably won't find much help from HP, as they drop restore disk support after 2 or 3 years I believe. Your best bet would be restoredisks.com, just checked and they have the disks for your model for $26.99 including shipping. This would be the easiest, most painless way to get your system back to factory specs.

IMO, the easiest and legit step is to borrow an OEM XP home CD from a friend and use the key on that certificate of authenticity (COA) on the side or back of the computer. The COA is a fancy looking sticker on the case that has group of five 5 letters and number Download all the drivers for your model of desktop from HP. Activate it and voila, you have a fully legal and functioning system. Also it will be FASTER too as all the boatware HP gave you will be gone. If you are not comfortable with downloading drivers, get a friend or hire a techie to download it for you. One thing you should insist on them is to NOT use bootleg software on the system or this message will appear again if you are using Microsoft software. Best wishes!

. . . such as: How committed are you to needing to use XP for this machine? It may be more trouble than it's worth, as you already may be finding out. There are various ways and means available to do what you are saying you want to do, but they are of questionable legality, not to mention their varying degrees of effectiveness. Moreover, I'm sure you wouldn't want to leave your parents with a modded version of XP Pro or whatever you may want to settle on, and I'm guessing the hardware would be a little light to be able to run Windows 7 properly.

All this being said--and hear me out, now--you could simply choose one the many excellent, top-shelf linux distributions available. I would suggest these as alternatives:

Mint Linux
SimplyMEPIS
Vector Linux
Fedora
Ultimate Linux

I would especially recommend SimplyMEPIS and Vector; there's a new Mint out but I have not tried it. Still, the Mint Linux 11 laptop I have has had almost no problems for the past two years, and it's used pretty much every day of the week.

Depending on what your parents need to or want to do on this computer, and also depending on what sorts and brands of peripherals they may need to connect to this computer would be an important factor. I know most everyone rolls their eyes as soon as they read "linux" and dismiss it out of hand, but that's an unfortunate mistake mostly made by people who are quick to type things like "TL-DR."

I can understand why you may be insistent on keeping WinXP (in my opinion, it's the standard for all user-friendly operating systems) but you've got to remember that XP is on its way out with Microsoft, too--its support will be ending in 2014, but Microsoft tends to abandon their end-of-life products long before their official dates for ending support. So, you're going to have to look for another OS soon anyhow.

Why not check out some of the operating systems I've mentioned? With LiveCDs/DVDs and bootable USB media, it's easy and even a little enjoyable to check out a new OS.

Don't be such a dork.
If you have a machine which came with an original license, you're obviously a legal owner of XP. If you can't find your license key, it would take you all of 10 seconds to search for "windows XP key" or "windows XP activation" in the search engine of your choice.

Whatever you do, get SP2 or malware will kill you. It's easy to check - click start> right click My Computer, and select properties from the list.

Microsoft will show you how to change the product key

Win8 is smaller and faster than Win7. Use it in desktop mode. Metro may be confusing.

program called RockXP - file is rockxp.exe - which has some great tools for fine tuning Win Xp performance and also includes a tool whereby you can change the registration key of the installed software. I used it several times where someone had a valid licence for Win XP but their install discs were damage or unfindable. I used my valid XP discs to reinstall the software, loaded RockXP, changed the registration key from the one I used to do the install (my key) to their key, went on-line and did the activation and updates, no troubles at all. The only issue here is that in each case I was using my Win XP Pro to rebuild XP Pro systems and Win XP Home to rebuild XP Home systems, don't know how it'll go with a XP Pro install and a XP Home key.

Find HP's OEM version of WinXP installation media. It will not ask you for ser. number nor activation. This installation CD you can install on each HP (even old Compaq) hardware.