Installing Windows XP Home

[Guest]

I have a PC which had XP Home pre-installed - delivered with it was a product
id (stuck on the PC case) and a recovery floppy disk. Recently, the hard
drive crashed along with Windows. A new HDD has been purchased but I have no
way of re-installing since the floppy needs the original files from the
original hard disk - now dead! I know it should have been backed up etc etc

The question is, can I perform a fresh installation from a different XP Home
CD using my own product id stuck on the PC case?

 

[Guest]

The theory is correct.

It may just be that you OEM product ID may not work with the XP Home that
you want to use.

In theory by altering the system configuration [new hard drive] that you
have invalidated your right to use the OEM XP Home.

Try it out and when it comes to activation speak with a Microsoft support
person if you have any problems during activation. They are most helpful and
will assist where they can and however they can within the limit of their
legal responsibility.