We just bought a new computer with XP and are transferring files from our old computers.   Some WORD files we transferred from a desktop with W95 and others we transferred from a laptop with XP.  When we go to OPEN the files on the new computer we are able to open the ones brought over from the W95 desktop but not the XP laptop.  We get a message requesting some registration #   We have entered the serial # from the back of the new computer but still can't open the files.  Any ideas? Thanks.My only guess WOULD be that they open in different applications. Are you sure they're all word files, and are opening in word? I'd say it's MS Office asking for #, but if it's only on XP laptop's files, I'm not so sure... and anyway, Office on new PC shouldn't need that... Have you LOOKED around for Office or Works Suite discs and tried entering number from back of those? Usually it's on a sticker or something.
Good luck! And remember, OpenOffice on Linux (or even on Windows) can read Office files, for free!

edited for typos