I was trying to fix some problems with a friends computer by doing a repair install using an XP Home cd that I have, I've done this before and am sure I said Repair not fresh install but later it asked for the product key it had never done that before, the computer had a sticker on it with a product key I tried that but it wouldn't accept it so I put in the product key on my cd and it accepted it but now it wont allow me to do anything until I call Microsoft to activate it. Can I fix this anyway, the computer obviously came with XP preloaded thats why the product key sticker is on it and all I wanted to do was repair that installation. Any help would be appreciated but I cant call Microsoft because that version has already been registered on another computer.

You cannot repair reinstal XP on a machine preinstalled with the OS. The preinstalled OS and the retail OS CD are two different animals. The only way to fix the machine with preinstalled XP is to use the OEM-supplied Restoration CD. i_XpUser

Is there a valid XP authentication sticker on the PC you are trying to restore? If so there is a chance that Microsoft will give you a new key. May just depend on how good a day the customer service rep is having. Give them a call and explain what happened. It may take a bit of patience and persistence on your part and remember, they don't have to give you a key so don't go into the discussion with a chip on your shoulder. I had a similar problem and ended up talking to three different people before I got one who could help me. If the machine don't have a sticker you are probably S.O.L. Tiger Direct will sell you a copy of XP home OEM (with a tokes hardware purchase) for $90.

Tiger Direct will sell you a copy of XP home OEM (with a tokes hardware purchase) for $90.. Beware chances are your friend Pc will be flagged with WGA Validation failure popups on the welcome screen, the desktop and the systray. Be careful when buying OEM XP online. i_XpUser

You can try copying the file WPA.DBL from your windows\system32 directory to his. boot his computer in safe-mode and then copy your file to his windows\system32 directory,then reboot his computer. it might work because it is your activation file and it is your OS on his computer. or it might not work in which case you are no worse off.

"it might work because it is your activation file and it is your OS on his computer." ...but his hardware will probably be different so the wpa.dbl file will be unique to whichever computer it comes from.

You needed to use the correct OEM version in the first place - chances are that previously you were just lucky enough to have one that was compatible. I currently have 4 different versions I use when reinstalling OEM systems without the restore disk. Only way is to see how many OEM versions you can borrow to see which one works - nothing illegal about it as long as you use the key from the case sticker. "I know that I'm mad, I've always been mad"