This is probably a dumb question, but can I reformat a hard drive and reinstall Windows XP if the original XP disk is lost? In other words, if I reload on computer A, using computer A's original product key (I have this), but use an XP cd from computer B, will it work? If not, any suggestions as to the best (and cheapest) way to get rid of alot of junk on this computer and get a clean operating system reloaded?

it will work on any computer.

hello if its a full install cd and not recovery cd you will not have a problem.

Thanks for the replies, but early idications are that this will not work. At least when I tried the option to fix the XP installation (thought I'd try this for the heck of it) when it came up to put the product key in, I got a message telling me that it wasn't a valid product key. Which I thought was odd, as it was the product key which was on the computer already. The only thing it didn't match was the CD itself (win xp, not a recovery cd) which was from a different computer. If I put the other computer CD's product key in will I have a problem with activation?

If you installed XP orignally from a CD that you bought, installed, and activated you can call Microsoft and get a replacement CD. I accidently damaged my Windows XP Pro disk and got a replacement disk for $30.

When you install Xp and activate it, they record all the serial #'s for all hardware that you have installed. this way you cannot use the same disc to install on a seperate pc, unless you can convince ms that it is the same pc (good luck on that 1). The magic # used to be 4,ie..., u can switch hardware around and reinstall as manytimes as needed so long as you kept 4 pieces of hardware from the original install activation. fdd,hdd,mobo,cdrm,memory,graphics card and any other internal installations could be replaced without problems reactivating....but if you substitute more than 4 hardware configurations in any order, then M$ gave you hell reactivating. Every install disc is issued its on special key code and these cannot be switched or used by any other disc, Hope that helps.

PS, you can use it to install on any pc but you would not get it activated and your system would shut after the 30 day grace period.Then you could keep that up almost indefently but i don't think M$ will allow any updates on an unactivated OS, although with all the crap floating aropund it might not be too bad to reformat and reinstall all the time LOL