Clarification: The CD Key used in install must be the CD key that belongs to
the machine
being installed on, not the key on the install disk being used.

Daniel

"Daniel" wrote in message
...
Just to confirm that you used the CD Key numbers on the HP during install
, then
tried to activate, the CD key numbers are not the activation numbers,
automatic activation over the net should work fine, and so should manual
activation
if you follow the correct procedures including using the activation codes
generated,
you may be asked to confirm that the software is not installed elsewhere,
but I doubt it.

I only carry one XP install disk with me (and it happens to be a Dell) and
use it on many different
machines I repair and I have never had any problem with activation.

cheers

Daniel
"Alan" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I had to do a clean XP Home installation today on an old Compaq Presario
2500 laptop for a client of mine.

Because he had none of the Recovery or XP Installation CDs that came with
the machine, I called H-P to request a replacement set. However, because
the laptop is so old by their standards they had no installation media
that I could buy.

I told the H-P/Compaq rep that I have a Dell OEM Windows XP Home CD that
came with my own machine. He said that XP should install okay using
that -- which it did.

I'm now trying to register Windows XP using the 25 Character XP Code on
the bottom of the Compaq laptop. While I thought it MIGHT just work over
the Internet, it was flagged as being incorrect.

I then called the phone number listed and all I can get is an automated
voice response which tells me -- after I read the 54 character message
code -- that the code is wrong and "I won't be able to validate my
installation right now."

Is there a phone number with a real person at Microsoft, who I can call
and activate this installation?

Thanks very much.

Alan