Dont know product key

[Walter]

I have a computer that is about 5 maybe six years old
that I got from Micron PC. I got it new and it has
windows 98. Last night my computer would not let me
click on any icons on my desktop. I tried restarting it
and it come up with a screen asking for the User name for
who the software will be registered for and then it asks
me to agree to the License Agreement and then asks for a
Windows 98 Product Key that was included with my computer
documentation. I dont know why it is asking for this
when I have had the computer for about 6 years. My
problem is I cannot find the Product Key anywhere so I
can not get any further in the setup and therefore I can
not use my computer. Any suggestions?
Walter

[Ben Myers]

Download
http://62nds.co.nz/62nds/diag.exe to a floppy and run
it on the problem computer.

Ben

"Walter" > wrote in message =
...
> I have a computer that is about 5 maybe six years old=20
> that I got from Micron PC. I got it new and it has=20
> windows 98. Last night my computer would not let me=20
> click on any icons on my desktop. I tried restarting it=20
> and it come up with a screen asking for the User name for=20
> who the software will be registered for and then it asks=20
> me to agree to the License Agreement and then asks for a=20
> Windows 98 Product Key that was included with my computer=20
> documentation. I dont know why it is asking for this=20
> when I have had the computer for about 6 years. My=20
> problem is I cannot find the Product Key anywhere so I=20
> can not get any further in the setup and therefore I can=20
> not use my computer. Any suggestions? =20
> Walter

[Bill Watt]

On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 12:57:35 -0700, "Walter" >
wrote:

>I have a computer that is about 5 maybe six years old
>that I got from Micron PC. I got it new and it has
>windows 98. Last night my computer would not let me
>click on any icons on my desktop. I tried restarting it
>and it come up with a screen asking for the User name for
>who the software will be registered for and then it asks
>me to agree to the License Agreement and then asks for a
>Windows 98 Product Key that was included with my computer
>documentation. I dont know why it is asking for this
>when I have had the computer for about 6 years. My
>problem is I cannot find the Product Key anywhere so I
>can not get any further in the setup and therefore I can
>not use my computer. Any suggestions?
>Walter

Walter,

Before you try to complete the install hold off for more
information. I believe there is a file you can rename to prevent
that from coming up. I think it's Wininit.ini in the Windows folder
that some program may have created. It's used when you boot then
renamed *.bak
To get the product key boot to Dos or use a Win98 Startup diskette
and 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.
The Product Key is not listed in the System.1st file on some Win98SE
and ME systems but is on others.

Regards,

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

[Bill Watt]

On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 12:57:35 -0700, "Walter" >
wrote:

>I have a computer that is about 5 maybe six years old
>that I got from Micron PC. I got it new and it has
>windows 98. Last night my computer would not let me
>click on any icons on my desktop. I tried restarting it
>and it come up with a screen asking for the User name for
>who the software will be registered for and then it asks
>me to agree to the License Agreement and then asks for a
>Windows 98 Product Key that was included with my computer
>documentation. I dont know why it is asking for this
>when I have had the computer for about 6 years. My
>problem is I cannot find the Product Key anywhere so I
>can not get any further in the setup and therefore I can
>not use my computer. Any suggestions?
>Walter

Walter,

Do you have a Wininit.ini file in the Windows folder?
( not Wininit.exe )
If so, try re-naming it. Reboot. If no help re-name it back.

If no help I guess you may need to go through the install that's
asked for now that you should have your Product Key. Unless someone
comes in with the fix for the problem which would be the best thing.
Or if you see a way to bypass the install that comes up.

You might bypass the install and get into windows by copying the
Msdos.sys file in the root to your Win98 Startup diskette and boot
with it. That should take you straight into windows. Rename the
blank file that is on the diskette first so you can put it back when
it's needed as a normal startup diskette. The diskette must be kept
in until the machine is powered down. If this is successful you can
do some troubleshooting.

BTW can you boot to Safe Mode ok?

Regards,

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