XP licence is saved in a cab file - can't access during install - help

[andyjharris]

I need help. I'm trying re-install a copy of XP onto my machine after it started acting up. I saved the licence key in a .cab file on the machine as I knew I'd lose the bit of paper - which I have.

It is saved on a seperate partition of the drive, my backup, to the one XP is re-instaling on but I now can't get at it as I have no idea whether it is possible to boot to dos and look at a .cab file?? I thought I'd written it down but I must have copied a didgit wrong somewhere along the line and it's telling me it's the wrong license key.

Anyone know how to either:
a) Boot to dos and look in a .cab file or
b) bypass the request for a key during the install process so that I can fill it in later once xp is installed and running it's "trial period"?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Nohjekim]

I'm not sure but I think that Winzip will open Windows cab files.

I'm not sure about running Winzip form dos anymore though.

It's been a long time since I have used DOS.

There is also and application that finds your registration number, called ViewKeyXP.exe that you can download.

I don't know if there is a way to run it from dos.
You might run a search for the site and see it there is a version that can be.

You should make a label with your registration number and stick it on the front of your Windows CD. I do this for every installation CD I have. Really saves a lot of time later on. Before I started doing this I went crazy looking for my numbers when I needed to reinstall something, since I always take the CDs and place them in plastic cases the key was never with them.

Mike