xp version

[Lotondo]

Hi all !
My pc came with a preinstalled xp pro, a label with serial nr. is sticked on
pc back. Last week my hard disk passed away
I had a xp pro copy, I installed it on a brand new hard disk but after typing
my serial original nr. (the one on the back) a msg. pop up saying that the
serial nr. is not correct
I believe that xp pro had during the past years several internal changes and
to avoid pirate copy MS modified also the keys rules
Now, is there a way to find out to which version a serial key was made for ?

Thanks for help.

Lotondo

[F A B Scott]

The best thing to do would be to phone Microsoft [I think there's a telephone number included when you install] It's maybe just because you have changed the hardware - they should sort it out for you.

Here's some of their phone numbers.

[ANZAC_ELITE]

Your original install would be an OEM version of XP, your other version is I presume, a retail version, an OEM key won't work with a retail install.

[Miz]

Product keys for OEM versions have the letters OEM somewhere in the product key.

An OEM key won't work with a retail copy and vice versa.