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There are several variations of the XP CDs, some retail, some OEM, and as dbrunton says, not all keys work with all CDs. &nbsp;The best option is to go to ebay and search for XP OEM CDs. &nbsp;My own experience is that Dell and HP OEM XP distribution CDs will accept both Dell and HP OEM keys interchangeably.
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There are several variations of the XP CDs, some retail, some OEM, and as dbrunton says, not all keys work with all CDs.  The best option is to go to ebay and search for XP OEM CDs.  My own experience is that Dell and HP OEM XP distribution CDs will accept both Dell and HP OEM keys interchangeably.

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Your current install requires you to enter a valid CD key for Windows System Builder OEM. &nbsp;If you want to use the HP Key then you should install (or repair) using an HP OEM CD.<br />
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This article explains it further: <a href="https://www.experts-exchange.com/A_3218.html" rel="ugc">https://www.experts-exchange.com/A_3218.html</a>
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Your current install requires you to enter a valid CD key for Windows System Builder OEM.  If you want to use the HP Key then you should install (or repair) using an HP OEM CD.

This article explains it further: https://www.experts-exchange.com/A_3218.html [https://www.experts-exchange.com/A_3218.html]

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DrKlahn despite your best of intentions unless you are a licensed redistributor for Microsoft I don't think that's allowed.
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DrKlahn despite your best of intentions unless you are a licensed redistributor for Microsoft I don't think that's allowed.

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Found an original HP OEM XP Pro disc in the office.<br />
<br />
All is well now.<br />
<br />
Thanks everyone
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Found an original HP OEM XP Pro disc in the office.

All is well now.

Thanks everyone

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I'm trying to reinstall Windows XP Pro on a HP Laptop, I'm using a standard Windows XP Pro OEM CD, but the key on the sticker on the underneath of the machine is not accepted?
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I'm trying to reinstall Windows XP Pro on a HP Laptop, I'm using a standard Windows XP Pro OEM CD, but the key on the sticker on the underneath of the machine is not accepted?

HP Laptop Windows XP OEM key not accepted

Microsoft Windows XP is the sixth release of the NT series of operating systems, and was the first to be marketed in a variety of editions: XP Home and XP Professional, designed for business and power users. The advanced features in XP Professional are generally disabled in Home Edition, but are there and can be activated. There were two 64-bit editions, an embedded edition and a tablet edition.