Yes you can. You can do a repair install and enter the new CD key when
prompted.

Newtechie

"gcube" wrote in message
...
I bought a laptop on ebay described as having XP installed with a COA.
When
I got it, I tried to validate the OS with MS. As you have probably
guessed,
MS responded with a message saying that MS did not recognize the
installation
as legitimate.

My questions is: Can I buy an OEM version and use the licence number on it
to legalize the installation on the laptop, or do I have to reinstall from
the OEM CD?

Thanks.