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Big help needed for big problemFollow

#1 Mar 03 2004 at 12:48 AM Rating: Decent
Ok, I'll make this quick and painless if I can..

I have somewhat of a problem with my computer - I can't get it to start

I reformatted my computer about a week ago, because of all the junk I had on there and just because it was in need of a cleaning. So I did, but what I forgot was that when I first bought the computer (back in 99 I think it was), it came with a product key number that you need to register the computer before it can start windows or anything. Well, as my luck would have it I lost the product key number and now I can't start my computer. It asks for Name: and company: which is fine, then it says to enter product key and if I hit cancel it shuts down the computer, if I try to make one up it says that key isn't valid. So all in all, I just have a paper weight sitting in my room that I can't use.
The computer is an IBM Aptiva with windows 98
If anyone can help me on this one, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
#2 Mar 03 2004 at 5:11 AM Rating: Excellent
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If you can get to the registry, you can extract the CD key. see if you can boot it up in safe mode using F8 or failing that command prompt mode.

If that won't work, you could theoretically find a temporarily working key somewhere on an ilicit serialz site on the internet. I don't condone that, but if that's the only way you can get in...
#3 Mar 04 2004 at 3:38 AM Rating: Decent
39 posts
I think that's what he wants: A new key.
You can get them by going to www.google.com and type in Win98 (SE) S/N or Key or something like that.
Or, you can call/mail Microsoft and ask for it if you have registered, since they can send you the info as well (Great benefit of registering products is they can give you information if you need it)
Also you can call the store you got your computer from and ask them for a key since they "owe" you one.
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