Bruce--M wrote:

> I bought a 2nd hand computer recently & it looks like the LEGAL product key
> has been cleaned with some solvent.
> I can very clearly see the full code.
> The HD was formatted.
> I CAN NOT read if it's XP Home, XP Pro or even Windows 2000.
> Is there some way I can find out?
> The key starts with ........
> HDBY3-H3X49-49PWX- etc

If the restore image for the OS was in a hidden partition, is it still
there? Formatting works on partition boundaries, not across the entire
hard disk. So it is possible the hidden partition is still there. You
will need to follow the instructions for the computer to find out how
the OS gets installed.

If a restore image is not in a hidden partition, and if the seller did
not surrender the installation media, then the OS was *not* included in
the sale. What you bought was just hardware. So now you'll have to buy
Windows (or use a free Linux variant).