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-   -   win98: had no product key now can't uninstall (http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread15588.html)

mullenmj Dec 14th, 2004 9:48 pm
win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
I tried to install win 98 using an old cd i got with a pc purchased about 4 years ago... the problem is i have no idea where the product key is!!! Now I want to uninstall everything but obviously can't get past the screen that asks me to input the key...

Can anyone please, please help me?

suRoot Dec 14th, 2004 9:58 pm
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
is it on the bottom of the case? or on the CD case? or on the user manual

mullenmj Dec 14th, 2004 10:01 pm
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
don't think so - i remember having a card-type certificate but can't find it... I don't even want 98 on there now, but don't know how to uninstall it...

Thong_Ispector Dec 14th, 2004 10:17 pm
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
No need to uninstall, just format the partition...

You can copy the format command to a floppy and type format c:

You might want to make that floppy bootable or at least make sure your CD will work as a boot device to install another operating system...

Format program should be in C:\windows\command\

mullenmj Dec 14th, 2004 10:27 pm
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thong_Ispector
No need to uninstall, just format the partition...

You can copy the format command to a floppy and type format c:

You might want to make that floppy bootable or at least make sure your CD will work as a boot device to install another operating system...

Format program should be in C:\windows\command\




i don't have a floppy drive, but i can put one in though if it's necessary...
do i have to use dos? if so, how do i get to it from start up?

how do i copy the format command to a floppy?

(let's for a moment pretend i know nothing about formatting, installing os etc)

Sphyenx Dec 15th, 2004 12:18 am
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
start>programs>Dos Prompt

mullenmj Dec 15th, 2004 12:20 am
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sphyenx
start>programs>Dos Prompt


i don't have windows running cos i haven't got the key... how do i get to dos before windows starts up and tells me to enter the key... or is there another way to remove windows98 when you get to the 'enter key' stage but don't have a key

Thong_Ispector Dec 15th, 2004 12:40 pm
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
At this point I would say set the CMOS to boot to the CD first then boot to the CD and select command prompt with cd support

you should see... c:\

assuming CD is drive D...

you type d: <enter>
you see... D:\

you type cd win98 <enter>
you see... D:\win98\

You type format c: <enter>
Answer YES to verify format c:

Good Luck

dlh6213 Jan 12th, 2005 4:06 am
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
You can find the Key in your Registry:
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/ins...d_in_regist.htm

pcpalct Jan 12th, 2005 8:16 am
Re: win98: had no product key now can't uninstall
 
Looks like your link kicked the bucket dlh6213 :(. Oh well...let me help :):

Quote:
There are several methods you can use to uncover your lost product key for the version of Windows that you currently have installed on your PC.

Method A. For older versions of Windows you can extract the product key from the Windows Registry. Click on the Start button > on the menu click on Run and then type regedit and press enter or click on OK.

For Windows 95 and Windows 98, browse to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ProductID

For Windows NT 4.0, browse to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProductID

Method B. Software: There are some freeware software programs that can help you:

• Rock XP: Free program that lets your retrieve and change your Windows XP Product Key.

• Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder: One of the best free tool for this task. In addition to finding and identifying product keys for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP, it can also uncover product keys for installed versions of Microsoft Office.

• Windows Key Finders : This is actually a group of tools that can be used for unearthing product keys for different versions of Windows.


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