Recovering a Windows XP License key

"If the old machine had a sticker, it was most likely an OEM license.

OEM licenses cannot legally be moved from one computer to another one. They die when the computer dies.

But, in answer to your question...

Load the old registry hive on your new computer and then find the XP key. -- EDIT make sure that you open the SOFTWARE hive instead of SYSTEM mentioned in the first guide, then open this just-opened-offline hive in the second guide."

"WinKeyFinder - · View Windows XP CD Key
· Change Windows XP CD Key
· View Windows Vista 32bit Edition CD Key
· View MS Office 2007 CD Key
· View/Change XP Key
· View/Change MS office Key
· View Win98 Key
· view Win2000 Key
· View .Net Key
· View Windows2003 Key

Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder works on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003, Server 2008, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007 family of products.

and while you're at it, backup your XP activation files, AFAIK the latest WinKeyFinder features this option, if not, here'a a tutorial."