Indirect installation of Windows XP

[christen]

Hi,

I am trying to install windows XP Home on a desktop pc.

So far I encountered a few initial problems.

1. No beep code at all on the new pc.
2. Took 4 or more times of accessing the BIOS Setup to get it to accept the Boot Order.

Finally got it to accept the insstrution to boot from CD/DVD.

Now I've reached the point where I need the Product Key, but cant find that anywhere. ( Found the stiicker disintegrated on the NGO/

 

[Alabalcho]

You won't find help here with "missing Product Key". It's against the rules of TH to provide with with "working key". And unless the sticker on that desktop was from generic OEM version, there's little hope that the media you have would have worked with that key.

 

[christen]

You won't find help here with "missing Product Key". It's against the rules of TH to provide with with "working key". And unless the sticker on that desktop was from generic OEM version, there's little hope that the media you have would have worked with that key.

Hi, Thanks for your response.
It wasnt that I was looking for a "working key", I was looking for suggestions as to other ways I could approach the problem, or bypass it buy installing like using the unattend product key found in the i386 folder of the disc.

As it had rejected said mentioned key.

I was also wondering, like i said, if it were possible to make an image of an already functional pc and copying that to the new pc to make it a functional pc too.

 

[Alabalcho]

@Christen,

Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8) product key is tied to the hardware it was activated on. Even if you were able to clone a hard drive from another PC and boot it to Windows desktop (highly unlikely unless the two PCs are nearly identical), you still will be asked for activation, which most probably will fail because that said product key is already being used.

If you attend a school - check with it, you might be able to get legal copy for little or no money at all. Or, you can download trial copy of recent Windows from Microsoft, and use it for couple of months until you sort your finances and get legal Windows (or new computer).