Quick Windows question.

You've got an issue. You can't get anywhere without a product key (5 groups of 5 letters/numbers).

Did XP come with the computer you're giving away? If so, you reinstall with the "Computer Recovery CD" (i.e. from Dell). Did you buy it retail at a store? You might have recourse here if you call Microsoft.

Still, call Microsoft and see what they say. They may be able to give you a grace activation (speculating here). Did you ever register XP with your name, etc. and other details?


From googling "xp lost "product key""

Licensing Center. Call US 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4),
Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) Ask to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist

 

Some computers put the product key on the outside of the computer itself. My dell has it on the bottom left side of the tower. Check there.

 

+1 if It came with the computer it should be on the case somewhere. If not you might be SOL.

 

No. The only way to ensure a complete erase of information you'll have to remove windows and do a low level format of the drive, wiping at least 3 passes per sector. You can do this in DOS which you might have to install on the computer.
Best to have another computer close by with internet access before you attempt something like that. It could get ugly

 

I had an excellent experience with MS customer service recently. My hard drive crashed and I lost Office. I sent them an email with my phone number, and within 30 minutes a rep called me back. After verifying my identity, he read me my product code over the phone.

 

Sure, if you want to install Windows on a new hard drive. They're cheap enough it would be worth it

Maybe try what dinodan suggested

 

I use Autoclave, but the guy that invented it stopped supporting it, and recommends using this:

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

 

windowwasher is another good program to clean a drive.

 

Just download DBAN from the link above, burn it to a CD, stick it in the computer, and let it run. Simpler than removing the hard drive, and having the hard drive intact will make the computer that much more useful to whoever you give it to.

If you still have Windows installed, you can recover your product key with this utility:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

I'd recommend doing that, and then giving the Windows CD and key to whoever you give the computer to, for them to do with as they wish.