David B. wrote:
Hmmm, can't say I've ever had that issue, was it not the original
product key or was it one that didn't have the version of Windows it
belonged to on the sticker?

I think that was the whole issue. This thing had been formatted and a
different version of XP (not media center) had been installed. It came
from a medical facility, so to insure privacy formatted it before even
firing it up; so I got my education quickly. Once I got my own XP in
and got the correct Sony disk, it didn't even ask for a key.
Now I know why the IT dept was so glad to dump this off to my buddy,
they didn't have the Sony disk, and didn't want to dink with it.