win Me and my key number

[dumbellwkeyboard]

Hi,
I have taken my pc down alot. (am that far along in savvy), but I need to do it again, when I take it down and put win/me back on, it always asks me for my key number.
The number has worn away to unreadable, but now, its GOT to be on my computer memory SOMEWHERE..
Does anyone know how to find the Key number?

Thanks,
Dumbell

 

[Harvey]

If your machine can't run more tha ME, it's no longer useful for anything other than a Linux machine or an NC machine controller under DOS.

If you really, really, REALLY want to make it work again, find a copy of Win 98 SE. It's far better and far more stable than ME.

You should be able to put a minimal budget machine capable of running XP for a couple hunderd dollars or less, depending on how much you can find in good used components.

Good luck. 🙂

 

[EagleKeeper]

Bump it to W2K.

Better driver support.

Unless you want it for the gaming compatability.

 

[dumbellwkeyboard]

Hi, and thank you.
I do have a cd for win98. But since I have become so lazy with this pc, I just want to find the key number on my computer and do the win/me still.

I do have plans to buy another one, but geez.. I need re-educated as I really dont see what is so good about Vista.

I really did like Win/98 when I had a computer with that OE on it.

I know if I type something on my computer its GOT TO BE SOMEWHERE haha.
So, when I typed my key number in last time I installed, WHERE IS IT?

THANKS AGAIN ALL. 🙂

 

[Blazer]

use "majical jellybean" to find your key, but your computer must be working.

download it from "major geeks"

 

[scruffypup]

You can go into the registry for win9x versions,... winMe included

start -run-regedit
open up
hkey_local_machine/software/microsoft/windows/currentversion
there should be "product key" look and write it down

Now with WinXP and Vista (and I assume future versions have this key encrypted)
or with those who have registry-itis (fear of the registry)
you can use a free program called magicjellybean (there are others)
http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

either way,... you are ok!

EDIT: only ok if winme is still running,.. you cannot find the product key if you already formatted and trying to reinstall!!! 😉

 

[scruffypup]

Originally posted by: Harvey
If your machine can't run more tha ME, it's no longer useful for anything other than a Linux machine or an NC machine controller under DOS.

If you really, really, REALLY want to make it work again, find a copy of Win 98 SE. It's far better and far more stable than ME.

You should be able to put a minimal budget machine capable of running XP for a couple hunderd dollars or less, depending on how much you can find in good used components.

Good luck. 🙂

Very definitely missed the point of the post,... and the next post of upgrading to win2k was as bad,... also win98se is not more stable than winME,... winMe incorporated winNT features into win98, and actually had better features for system issues than 98se in many ways. WinMe had such a bad rep due to lack of driver support from manufacturers at launch which Microsoft has nothing to do with,...

 

[VeryCharBroiled]

Originally posted by: blazer
use "majical jellybean" to find your key, but your computer must be working.

download it from "major geeks"

Majical Jelly Bean Key Finder will do the trick.

Actually he computer doesnt need to be working as long as the hard drive is OK (and the OS is still on it). you can transplant the HD into a working computer (as slave or external etc) and point jellybean at the drive, it will suck the keys right out of it.