windows key

i want to reinstall windows 98 on my system which already
has windows 98 but i forgot the key of it. Now it is
asking me for the key. I don't want to format my disk. Is
there a way to see which windows key is installed. My
current windows is working but there is some problem in it
so i want to repair it.

Thankx!

Hi,

Provided you still have Windows running (Normal or Safe
Mode) run regedit.exe and look at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\
Win95 look for ProductID in the right pane.
Win98/WinME look for ProductKey in the right pane.

Or if you are not comfortable searching the registry and Windows is running:
Go to VBScript Tools by Bill James and download: "Windows 9x ProductKey
Saver"
http://billsway.com/vbspage/?r=my&r=...BScript&r=Page.

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney [MS-MVP DTS]
http://dts-l.org/
How to Configure Outlook Express for Internet News:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=171164

"create_share" wrote
i want to reinstall windows 98 on my system which already
has windows 98 but i forgot the key of it. Now it is
asking me for the key. I don't want to format my disk. Is
there a way to see which windows key is installed. My
current windows is working but there is some problem in it
so i want to repair it.

Thankx!

On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 07:48:57 -0700, "create_share"
wrote:

i want to reinstall windows 98 on my system which already
has windows 98 but i forgot the key of it. Now it is
asking me for the key. I don't want to format my disk. Is
there a way to see which windows key is installed. My
current windows is working but there is some problem in it
so i want to repair it.

Thankx!

In addition to Bert's suggestions you can use these.
If Windows is installed enter this from the Dos prompt:
C:\windows\command\Find /i "ProductKey" c:\windows\system.dat
(that's an "eye" in /i)
You can also try this if the System.1st file has not been deleted.
C:\windows\command\Find /i "ProductKey" c:\system.1st
There are 3 spaces, 1 before and after /i and 1 before c:
The ProductKey is 5 groups of 5 letters and numbers.

You can also try this from Dos if the System.1st file has not been
deleted.
Enter: Edit System.1st
Then use the search feature for ProductKey (one word). Use the ALT
key to access the menus.
Use Alt+F then X to exit the Editor.
Not all SE systems have the key in System.1st.

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/