need Product Key for Windows XP OS Reinstall

[yatesbros]

I an trying to prepare my laptop to get rid of it.  I am following instruction in my reference guide to reinstall the operationg system.  I have the operating system CD, but now it is asking for a Windows xp product key.  I just want to be able to ensure all my data is wiped for the hard drive.

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@yatesbros

HP keeps no records of individual product keys associated with individual PCs -- so there is no way to get the key from HP.

There should be a sticker on the PC with the product key printed on it.

I am personally surprised that anyone would buy a PC running XP, as MS stopped support for XP years ago and now, it is a major security risk using such a PC.

[yatesbros]

Thank you so much for your help.  I did not even realize that was on the back of my laptop.  Worked perfectly.