big problem
 

OK I was deleting old programs I don't use from my control panel (like yahoo messenger etc) and I came upon some spyware, deleted it..and accidentally deleted an important file. Now when I boot up my computer it says "You have 3 days to activate windows, input the 25 digit code". The thing is I bought my computer custom made with all this stuff on it, I don't know where to get the code. It says Windows will stop running in 3 days..

if you bought your computer with windows preinstalled, then the windows disc should have been in the box.

If you bought your computer from a non-professional builder, who installed a pirated copy of windows on your system, then you're a bit out of luck.

We (my family) ordered it for me for Christmas..he was a professional..I just don't think we ever got/had/lost the disc...is there anything I can do?

Well even if you bought the pc custom made it should still have come with a installation disc and cd cover it might be on that or look on the side of your pc(the actual box) and find the little sticker there is the numbers on
I dont have the solution to your problem other that that but I know that you can call MS and tell them your problem and if everything checks out they will give you a new code or something of that nature.
It happened to a friend of mine and that is how we solved it.

Good luck

A little off-topic, but what's with computer companies cheaping out and not giving you a windows installation CD? Two out of the last three computers my family has bought didn't come with one.

If you don't have a CD, and you don't have a sticker on the side of your computer, then you'll have to call. Or turn to other means... *cough*

If you didnt get a CD, or a Windows Authentication Sticker on the side of the PC, the the delaer is selling Pirated copies of Windows and you have no recourse if something goes wrong.
I'd get hold of the dealer quick and demand a CD, with authentication code, or proof that the copy IS legal.
You will need it if you ever need to contact Microsoft, or if you want to upgrade the software.

I have the stickers on all of them, and I've reinstalled XP using that code with no problems authenticating (using the one CD). I doubt it's pirated, just a company trying to save 25 cents per CD.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

this program is a great little tool.. i use it for getting the customers windows key if needed.. it'll go into the registry and pull out the cd key for i think any version of windows and office as well.. give that a try and see if it can pull up the key you have installed with and then just re-enter it

They're not cheaping out if you think about it. Companies like Best-Buy, Wal-Mart, etc. do sell prebuilt computer systems with Windows installed. That's it though -- they sell the PCs with Windows installed using a site license. You're not buying Windows with the computer, you're buying a computer that has Windows installed on it legally through a contract that the company has with Microsoft. You can pay $100-$200 extra and get the actual CD. The company lowers the price of the system by selling the system with the OS installed but without the installation CD. If you ask Best Buy or any other place for the OS CD, they'll sell you one that matches your PC but be prepared to pay for it. :) In the past, the companies automatically charged the OS price onto the system but gave you the CD. Now it's basically backwards...also one of the main reasons PC prices have dropped from franchises in the past few years.

-Lasereth

Thanks so much everyone for the replies.

try looking for the deleted file in the recycle bin if you havent emptied it.

The file to restore is wpa.dbl and it goes in the system32 directory in the windows folder