XP Home product key, but don't have original XP home media, is it possible?

[snakeyes]

Hello all,

I have a computer that originally had an XP Home system on it. I had to redo it, but I don't have the original XP Home CD. I have the product key, but a different copy of XP Home on CD. Should this work? I tried this, but it says the cd key is invalid, how could this be? Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Snakeyes

[Panama Red]

Product key has to match the cd on a fresh install. I know of cases where a different XP CD than the original was used for a Repair install but it must match on a fresh install.

[snakeyes]

Well, I was able to get it to work. I called up MS and was even able to activate it over the phone. I don't think I did anything wrong, I just didn't have the original OS CD, just the original Product Key. Go figure. Anyways, now time to finish the restore process, joy!?!

~Snakeyes

[glc]

If it's the exact same TYPE it should work - i.e., Home OEM, SP1.

[snakeyes]

The product key was for win xp home and the media I used was win xp home. I thought it would work, but wasn't for sure.

Thanks,
~Snakeyes

[kingoftowns]

as glc stated, the key and the media type have to be the same, so if your cd key was for and OEM install you had to have an OEM disc, there are three types of windows xp home discs: retail, OEM, and corporate so your your key has to match the type of disc but good to hear you got everything working

[glc]

There's no corporate XP Home, the third type is Upgrade. Also, there's no SP, SP1, and SP2, so there are really 9 different types.

[kingoftowns]

actually there is a corporate home, i have it on my all windows dvd and have messed with it and it is the corporate version which does not need activation