cant end repair-reinstallation

[sickcom]

I began a repair of my xp pro system with the intention of reinstalling if
this was not successful, when the install came to asking for a validation key
(genuine and sp2) the one I had written down as the key is incorrect. I
cannot find the original key to continue the set up but I also cant exit the
setup! I don't care about data loss or anything but I can't escape the set
up? I have tried to format from dos but this wont work due to windows
running. how can I force windows to completely abort this install so I can
reformat or reinstall. I have no other versions of windows available to me.
and the computer had only come with pre loaded software which I upgraded

 

[Andrew E.]

That is a problem,however you'll need to completly reinstall the pre-loaded
software the pc came with..Once done,install xp cd,boot pc to xp cd,select
install xp,delete the partition (pre-loaded OS),create one,then xp formats
& performa a clean install..Otherwise you still need to reinstall old
OS,upgrade
to xp in windows explorer..

 

[littlepetel]

Possibly a very obvious thing (I only mention it because I got caught with
something similar very recently during a reinstall, major panic until I
realised it was there) - would the XP validation key sticker still be on the
case???
Peter

 

[littlepetel]

oops, my inattention - I see you upgraded...
Peter