Invalid XP Key Retreived From Hard Disc; Where To Go From Here?

[Titler]

Here's my basic problem; I work at a day care centre for the elderly as basic
IT support, and recently an elderly client brought a computer in for repair.
The current WinXP install will only start on the failing hardware, but when
attached to more modern boards it won't start as a primary at all. I can
slave it to a second drive, and I intended to simply transfer the desired
personal files over to a clean install. But this is where it get's tricky;
They don't have a copy of the WinXP disc that they can find, and there's no
stickers on the case. We have a disc and legal key in the office, so I did a
basic install using that office key on that clean drive they can have, kept
the old HDD slaved to the new machine and have managed to retreive the second
WinXP key from the slaved disc via Jellybean on the first OS. However, the
key is not considered as valid when I run the WinXp install program from disc
again to re-register that install of Windows as an upgrade . I have not
allowed the new computer to go online yet, so as not to invalidate the legal
key I used to get access to the drive, but I'm now at a loss as to how to
proceed... my suspicion is that the second key is dodgy in some way, but I've
not been able to find how to confirm this via tech support; the elderly
client would obviously prefer if the OS, the only step of the repair I can't
do for free also didn't cost her anything either... so does anyone have any
suggestions, bearing in mind a completely new OS is the obvious, but
ultimately final step that can be taken? Can I cross check what this second
key actually is anywhere?

Any help appreciated, thanks.

 

[David B.]

What make and model was the old PC? If it was an OEM such as Dell or HP, the
product key you recovered is not useable for a Windows reinstallation. Also
the XP license that shipped with the PC is OEM and not transferable to a
different computer. Also keep in mind that product keys are not compatible
between versions, you must take into account the version of XP (Home, Pro,
Media Center) and the license type (OEM, retail, upgrade). The disk you use
to reinstall MUST be identical to the OS type that was installed.

 

[smlunatick]

Here's my basic problem; I work at a day care centre for the elderly as basic
IT support, and recently an elderly client brought a computer in for repair.
The current WinXP install will only start on the failing hardware, but when
attached to more modern boards it won't start as a primary at all. I can
slave it to  a second drive, and I intended to simply transfer the desired
personal files over to a clean install. But this is where it get's tricky;
They don't have a copy of the WinXP disc that they can find, and there's no
stickers on the case. We have a disc and legal key in the office, so I did a
basic install using that office key on that clean drive they can have, kept
the old HDD slaved to the new machine and have managed to retreive the second
WinXP key from the slaved disc via Jellybean on the first OS. However, the
key is not considered as valid when I run the WinXp install program from disc
again to re-register that install of Windows as an upgrade . I have not
allowed the new computer to go online yet, so as not to invalidate the legal
key I used to get access to the drive, but I'm now at a loss as to how to
proceed... my suspicion is that the second key is dodgy in some way, but I've
not been able to find how to confirm this via tech support; the elderly
client would obviously prefer if the OS, the only step of the repair I can't
do for free also didn't cost her anything either... so does anyone have any
suggestions, bearing in mind a completely new OS is the obvious, but
ultimately final step that can be taken? Can I cross check what this second
key actually is anywhere?

Any help appreciated, thanks.

You are mixing the versions of XP. You are probably trying to repair
a XP based on OEM / RETAIL and your install CD is not "made" for the
same version.