invallid key while upgrading

had to reinstall XP on replacement hd. The computer didn't come w/a install
cd so I used an old XP SP1cd from another system. installed it no problem.
Its asks for activation so I click to activate and the window says it's
already activated. Fine. I insert the original install cd, click upgrade,
input the coa key on the side of the machine and hello-invalid key. How can I
complete the install and get this properly activated? I know the key is valid
because I bought the machine new. Is it because I'm using a SP1 disc from
Compac on a HP machine or could it be a non SP or a SP2 key on the sticker?
The sticker just says XP home so how do I tell if it is a key for original
XP, SP1, or SP2? I've had no problems using this disc on my Dell when I need
to reinstall.

mwe056 wrote:
> had to reinstall XP on replacement hd. The computer didn't come w/a install
> cd so I used an old XP SP1cd from another system. installed it no problem.
> Its asks for activation so I click to activate and the window says it's
> already activated. Fine. I insert the original install cd, click upgrade,
> input the coa key on the side of the machine and hello-invalid key. How can I
> complete the install and get this properly activated? I know the key is valid
> because I bought the machine new. Is it because I'm using a SP1 disc from
> Compac on a HP machine or could it be a non SP or a SP2 key on the sticker?
> The sticker just says XP home so how do I tell if it is a key for original
> XP, SP1, or SP2? I've had no problems using this disc on my Dell when I need
> to reinstall.
The CD KEY is linked to the type of Windows CD.
Windows XP Home
Windows XP Pro
Windows XP Media Center
Then there are OEM, Retail, and Volume License versions of each.
So I guess that makes 9 different keys. (Volume may not come in
anything but Pro, buts that not important here).

You say you grabbed a cd from another system, which I would guess means
the Key you have on the pc does not match the CD you used.

You can probably call HP and get them to replace your CD's.

Service pack of the install has nothing to do with it
If you use google news to search these xp groups, you'll find reference
to a phone # that you can also use to replace CD's, but I don't have it.
Possibly you'll get more replys