At this moment you do not own a valid XP license for the new computer, since
OEM licenses are non-transferrable.

You have several choices:

But, first, copy all important data to an external hard drive (and/or DVDs).
You might also want to use the documents and settings transfer wizard to
make a copy of settings (not documents). And, just in case of even more
problems, I would recommend making a manual copy of your favorites, email,
etc. Then,

(1) Use an existing XP retail CD, if you own one, to do a "repair" install.
When asked for product key information, use the new one. Unlike an OEM CD,
activation should be permitted, since a retail license can be moved from PC
to PC, so long as it is only installed on one at a time. Of course, this
presumes (a) you have a retail CD, (b) you are willing to use it on the new
PC, instead of whatever PC it is currently installed upon.

(2) Buy a new full retail license (i.e., CD in unopened box) and do a
"repair install". (around $200 for XP home)

(3) Buy a new OEM license and do a "clean" install on the new PC. Then,
transfer back setting and personal files, and re-install all other software.
Caution, "clean" means format first, install second. Of course, this might
be a good time to consider pre-partitioning the hard drive to separate your
personal files form XP+programs. Plan on installing XP and programs on C:\
and keep your data on D:\. (around $90 for XP home)

(4) Forget Windows and download and install one of several free LINUX
distributions, such a Ubuntu, Suse, etc.
http://www.thefreecountry.com/operat...ibutions.shtml
All can recognize external USB and firewire hard drives, DVDs, etc. And
most can read NTFS-formatted partitions (likely on a large external hard
drive used with XP). All will read FAT32 formatted partitions.

(5) Contact the old PC maker and ask about getting a new motherboard from
them. If they are (a) still in business, (b) willing to support you, then
they might sell you a motherboard that is compatible with the license from
the old PC. Basically, pre-installed licenses are usually tied to the BIOS
of the motherboard, which is fairly unique to a given brand and model.
(cost unknown; also, at best you will have an old PC that works again)

(6) Get a MAC. (only half serious; expensive, but will work out of the box)


"peter" wrote in message
...
I have an old pc that I bought with xp preinstalled. The pc is old and
dying so I bought a new pc without xp as I thought I could use the
license on the new pc. I did a clean install on the new pc and when it
came to entering the key it was rejected. The key was on the panel on
the side of the old pc and I double checked it on the old pc by using
jellybean finder software.

Eventually I used a key code from my work pc just to get the pc
working (so that I could transfer data) but of course I can't update
and I have the 30 day warning.

Why didn't my old pc key work? Now that I've used another key to start
the xp working is there a way of correcting this?

Would welcome any help..

Peter