XP Home Edition key problem

[beanbag]

OK....i'm peeved! I aquired another PC from a friend of mine complete with an XP Home Edition license. I've got a copy of Home Edition from my university days (legal Pro edition under the academic license), but unfortunately I can't get my home edition key (that is totally legal and sits on top of the aquired PC case as a genuine MS windows software sticker), to work!

Any ideas why?! I've checked and re-checked but it's totally correct!! Are there different editions of XP Home Edition that use different keys?

It's a total bummer as I'd personally like to keep this PC legal but now it seems Microsoft have screwed up yet again and I can't do this!!!!!

Help!!!!

[technobob]

beanbag said:

Are there different editions of XP Home Edition that use different keys?

Usually the sticker on the case refers to OEM software IIRC. Retail copies will not work with this key, and you will have to use the key that came with the retail copy, unless it has already been activated and is still in use. It gets even more complex because later versions of windows have SP1 or SP2 included which make them a 'different' program.

You may find that there is a hidden partition on the 'new' PC which has the appropriate windows software in it. Has the person that gave you the computer got a recovery disk from the original supplier?

[-DeaDLocK-]

Correct. You need to bag yourself an OEM XP Home CD, and then the key pasted on the site of the machine will work.

It's a bummer.

[beanbag]

Bugger.....Microsoft are a bunch of numptys at times....

Ta for the info guys. I'll see if I can "aquire" a copy...