Is there a way to recover an XP serial number from an existing install?

[Arkitech]

EDIT: I'm trying to reinstall XP but I can't find my serial number, is there a way I can pull it from an existing XP install? (I have 2 other machines with XP Pro)










Had a brief power outage today that reset/crashed my PC (even though I have my PC plugged into a surge protector) . I tried to reboot the PC but after a few seconds into the XP logo boot screen it automatically restarts. I tried booting using all safe mode options with the exact same results. At this point I tried to bootup with my XP cd to repair the partition, I can get to the repair console option but I don't get the option to repair the partition that should usually appear. (I'm assuming that means my partition is corrupt)

Any suggestions on how I can repair XP

 

[John]

If you hit enter on the first screen instead of 'R', then f8, does it show your partition and do you get the option to hit 'R' for repair (repair install and NOT thru the recovery console)?

 

[firerock]

Yep, your partition is damaged...the exact same thing happened to me just last week as well....damn the power outage

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: firerock
Yep, your partition is damaged...the exact same thing happened to me just last week as well....damn the power outage

Were you able to recover any data from that drive?

 

[Sureshot324]

Boot into the recovery console and type fixboot, fixmbr, and chkdsk /r. If you can't get into windows after that and you still want to back up your data, do a parallel install of windows.

 

[firerock]

I unpluged the HD and put it into another system. I was able to recover most of the files that I need (but slowly). So, give it a try.

 

[AdamSnow]

Take the hard drive out and place into another machine... should be able to copy most data over...

Or you could boot an ERD CD if you have one...

As long as the drive isnt physically damaged - you should be fine man!

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: firerock
I unpluged the HD and put it into another system. I was able to recover most of the files that I need (but slowly). So, give it a try.

I did that earlier today and I was able to recover all of my data

 

[AdamSnow]

Good man!