2009-04-27, 04:15 AM
I don't know if this still exists, but if can't activate your windows xp. You can 1, change your product key to what you had and then try to activate.
If you still can't activate, you can choose to call microsoft, it will be long and tedious and it will tell you that you can't activate the first time, then it might transfer you to a live person and he/she will force activate it for you.
In my experience, the different serial key only prevents me from installing when using different disks. Example, if I use a SP2 XP disk retail serial with an Dell recovery disk, the serial won't count as valid. Other than that, once the operating is installed, you have the option to change the serial or call in to activate windows.
If you still can't activate, you can choose to call microsoft, it will be long and tedious and it will tell you that you can't activate the first time, then it might transfer you to a live person and he/she will force activate it for you.
In my experience, the different serial key only prevents me from installing when using different disks. Example, if I use a SP2 XP disk retail serial with an Dell recovery disk, the serial won't count as valid. Other than that, once the operating is installed, you have the option to change the serial or call in to activate windows.