Hello,Can you please advise me on the following: I installed my old hard drives from my old computer, on a new computer running Windows7 OS. I had a motherboard fail. Although I can see the all folders on my old drives, I need to excess the information under Windows XP OS. Because Windows 7 will not run some applications, specifically Outlook Express. I was attempting to use the my old primary drive, where Windows XP. is loaded, as a boot up disk, Windows folder are still good. I have tried to switched the old drive as the primary booth in the BIOS, and it works, However Windows XP is asking for an activation code, and have tried to get from Microsoft, but have not been able too.I have the original valid code key, but Windows will not except. I cannot get a validation code. Is it possible to validate Windows XP using the original key code? I have no passwords protecting the old drive, in fact I can use it as a boot drive, I just cannot log in under my user name because Windows XP requires validation . Can you not have two operating systems on separate drives and select which one to booth from?Mario Azzopardi

Hi, Based on my understanding, you cannot use your original product key to activate Windows XP on the new computer. For Licence question, you may make a call to Microsoft Support for more help. Http://support.microsoft.com In addition, regarding boot from selected hard drive, this depends on your motherboard. Please check whether you can choose boot form another hard disk in BIOS.Juke Chou TechNet Community Support

Hi, Based on my understanding, you cannot use your original product key to activate Windows XP on the new computer. For Licence question, you may make a call to Microsoft Support for more help. Http://support.microsoft.com In addition, regarding boot from selected hard drive, this depends on your motherboard. Please check whether you can choose boot form another hard disk in BIOS.Juke Chou TechNet Community Support