wrote:

Sorry, forgot to mention that our former computer guy
didn't give us the key - last time we had a problem we
brought it to him, the problem is that he doesn't work at
the same computer place anymore and we don't trust the new
people, so we found a great new computer company. So, I
don't have another key to use and we can't get into our
old hard drive as it's fried!

Sounds like your former computer guy was the one that you shouldn't
have trusted. If he sold you a computer with Windows XP installed on
it then he was required to give you the product key needed to install
that copy of Windows and also some means (either a CD or a hard drive
partition containing the files) of restoring the computer to the "as
new" condition with a fresh copy of Windows in place.

If you did not get this and you were charged for the Windows XP as
part of the computer price then you have been cheated and you should
seek some recourse, either from that company or by contacting
or both.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."