I have an old installation of Windows XP Professional that I need to reload. I have a borrowed Windows XP Professional CD with SP3 slipstreamed in it. I recovered the Windows key I used on computer, and it matches the original key I recorded long ago.When I reload Windows, it says the key is not valid, although it is the same key that originally came with the computer. The original disks are long gone, so reloading from those is not an option.How can I reload Windows XP using my valid (purchased) license from another CD? 1 person got this answerI do too

Your CD TYPE and VERSION must match the product key. In this case I think you got the version (Windows XP Professional) but failed on the type (Likely you had an OEM and that CD is a RETAIL - although the reverse could be true.) Look into editing the SETUPP.INI file and burning a new CD (bootable) in suc a way that you can use your product key with that CD.-- Shenan Stanley MS-MVP --How To Ask Questions The Smart Wayhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Thank you for your suggestion. I found the Setupp.ini file and it has the following information:[Pid]ExtraData=7677657A737273766F70F43CC136A0Pid=55276000How do I find out what goes with the windows key that I have? Is there a way to look up the windows key and /or the windows CD and figure out which versions I have?

First - your type of product key: -- Where did you get the original Operating System? - Did it come installed on the computer? Is there a product key sticker on the computer itself? (That's OEM) - Did you go down to a local retailer and purchase it from there in a nice box (not a cellophane wrapped piece of cardboard)? (That's Retail.) I'd suggest this:http://www.google.com/search?&q=edit+setupp.ini+Windows+XP For learning what to put in the setupp.ini. You will have to burn a new CD, bootable.-- Shenan Stanley MS-MVP --How To Ask Questions The Smart Wayhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

I bought the computer several years ago from an online retail store, it was used, but it was only 6 months old at the time. The OS was installed and has been working fine. I recently lost wireless access after removing some malware, so I was advised to do a repair installation of the system. That is what started this mess I am in now.The CDs that came with the computer are long gone - stolen when we moved to a new place. I have an old image of the computer, however it does not have the setupp.ini file anywhere in it. I do not trust re-installing the image as the backup software I made it with is not very reliable.The Windows label on the bottom of the computer has the following numbers: X08-73060 32P4414 00045-418-142-045 (and the cd key)Is there any way to tell from the above information what version install CD I will need?

As I said - if there is a sticker attached to the computer and the OS came installed... OEM.-- Shenan Stanley MS-MVP --How To Ask Questions The Smart Wayhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You were right. I used an OEM XP CD and the installtion accepted my existing product key. I was able to confirm the product code once I found the proper registry key and it was in fact OEM.Thank you for your help with this.