Hi

Please could someone help me. Ive been very silly and Ive somehow totally
buggered up my sisters PC by re-installing Windows 98. I got through most of
it but when it came to completing the 5 boxes with the numbers and letters
codes I couldnt do it! The case for the CD ROMs has gone missing so I didnt
have them....what am I going to do? I cant get any further without providing
these passwords and I cant go back...I would appreciate any help...do I call
up microsoft?
Ill give you my email address (as I can check them elsewhere) and also my
mobile number...Im desperate for help so please only genuine callers and or
texters.

PLEASE HELP!!
Silly girl Claire

07793660409
claire_harrowell@hotmail.com

Calling Microsoft would be the only thing we can direct you to do. Although there are ways to bypass Product Keys, the rules of this site preclude members from eluding to them. This is considered software piracy. Every story is a hard one, but......

If you post the detailed info as to what state the system is currently in, we may be able to effect some sort of recovery.

Hi there

Ive heard all about the piracy problems but believe me, my problem is genuine!! (wish Id never touched the damn thing) Anyway, current state...erm, turn the PC on and the first screen I get asks me for the 5 boxed password...I cannot go any further than that. Is there a way of recovering the old windows or am I now stuck with this??
Does anyone know of Microsoft contact details....?

Many thanks

Claire

Hmmm. OK, when you first power on, during the last bit of the POST screen (Power On Self Test), start tapping the Ctrl key. You have to be quick. You ~should~ get the MS Startup Menu.

If you do, choose Command prompt only. At the DOS command prompt (C:\>) type in

scanreg/restore

and you should be presented with up to five registry backup dates. Choose one prior to the problem. This action will replace the current registry (obviously incomplete) with one of an earlier date.

CAVEAT: If pertinent system files have been overwritten, this may not work. It only replaces basic startup/settings files.

The above can also be accomplished by starting the system with an EBD boot floppy. (Emergency Boot Disk)

If you don't get the menu, or it doesn't work, post back. Well, post back anyway so we may know the status/results.

Many thanks for that, I shall go home and try it out...whatever the outcome I shall let people know for future reference...fingers crossed

Claire

Hi

An hour later and Im at home on my PC! The above suggestion worked a treat... Thank you so much to those that helped, I am very grateful to you all. I won't be making the same mistake twice!!

Will keep this site for future reference, no doubt it will come in handy again oneday...

Regards

Claire

Great, glad to hear it worked out for you. Thanks for posting back.