I'm interested to see if Admin in safe mode works. I think I've tried that before with no luck. But what a simple solution if it does work. 
Otherwise the password removers on a Linux CD work great.
Otherwise the password removers on a Linux CD work great.
I bought a used Dell Latitude D410 and was given an XP Pro reinstallation CD with it. I put in a faster bigger hard drive and tried to install XP Pro, but it said the number was invalid. After that I tried installing XP home and it worked without needing to enter the key. The XP home CD came with another Dell laptop. I partitioned the hard drive for the D410 into 3 partitions, put Win 2k on the first partition, Win XP home on the second partition and use the third partition for data. This arrangement allows reinstalling the OS without deleting the data and having a backup OS in case something happens to one of them. Win 2k does not have to be activated. I was surprised that the laptop didn't need the key for the XP home.
I used the same XP home CD to install XP home on a Sony desktop using the key on the back of the desktop a couple times, once when putting in a bigger faster hard drive and another time to fix a malware problem.
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Admin in Safe Mode did not work for me.
I went to the library and downloaded Ophcrack. I burned it, against advice from About.com, as a data CD and it didn't work. Returned the next day, downloaded an ISO-only burning freeware, and burned Ophcrack as an ISO file.
It worked.
Thank you all very much for your time and advice, the computer is working now. Kinda slow since I downloaded XP SP3, but that seems to be common.
Microsoft is only supporting XP for a few more months, but I've got it until then.
Again,thank you everyone.
I went to the library and downloaded Ophcrack. I burned it, against advice from About.com, as a data CD and it didn't work. Returned the next day, downloaded an ISO-only burning freeware, and burned Ophcrack as an ISO file.
It worked.
Thank you all very much for your time and advice, the computer is working now. Kinda slow since I downloaded XP SP3, but that seems to be common.
Microsoft is only supporting XP for a few more months, but I've got it until then.
Again,thank you everyone.
I also used the Windows XP CD to install the OS on a Gateway Solo 9550 laptop. I made that a triple boot laptop with Win 98SE, 2k and XP on it, each in a separate partition, with another partition for files. I mainly did it to see what it would be like. I use 98SE with an old film scanner that I believe only has drivers for 98SE (according to some websites I've seen). PCMCIA cards don't work with 98SE or 2k, but works with XP. I downloaded and installed all the dirvers for each OS. I'm not sure why it doesn't work with 98SE and 2k, though.
For the XP, I think I used the key that was meant for the Dell laptop it came with.
For the XP, I think I used the key that was meant for the Dell laptop it came with.
Use HiRen cd Hiren's BootCD 15.2 - All in one Bootable CD » www.hiren.info, go into the linux boot option and reset pass word.
The machine will never ask for a WIndows ID IF it has a REAL Dell XP cd loading the system
let me know if you need the Real CD...
The machine will never ask for a WIndows ID IF it has a REAL Dell XP cd loading the system
let me know if you need the Real CD...
Oh $DEITY....
Just download a standard Windows XP install CD, press F9 or DEL or whatever to bring boot menu, boot from cd/dvd and do a clean instal!
Windows cd's have all the crap needed in them, the key unlocks extra things, as easy and simple as that, if you want magic words, search for msdnaa windows xp image, in any torrent site that will lead you the images that are available for students and companies, its a bog standard image with no computer brand crap in it.
Also remember that XP is almost non supported and filled to the brim with exploits, even with GOOD firewall and anti-virus it will turn into a bot-net zombie in a couple hours at most after being connected to the internet, so I don't even understand where is the doubt about making a clean install.
Just download a standard Windows XP install CD, press F9 or DEL or whatever to bring boot menu, boot from cd/dvd and do a clean instal!
Windows cd's have all the crap needed in them, the key unlocks extra things, as easy and simple as that, if you want magic words, search for msdnaa windows xp image, in any torrent site that will lead you the images that are available for students and companies, its a bog standard image with no computer brand crap in it.
Also remember that XP is almost non supported and filled to the brim with exploits, even with GOOD firewall and anti-virus it will turn into a bot-net zombie in a couple hours at most after being connected to the internet, so I don't even understand where is the doubt about making a clean install.
just because they dont support it anymore does not mean it will stop working.
they simply will not be updating or making any app's for it.
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