SysPrep - Ghost imaged computer requests Windows Auth but won't wo

[Guest]

XP Professional
Symantec Ghost
After downloading a Ghosted image onto a computer, I log onto the computer.
It then has a pop-up that states "Windows Product Activation", this then
goes to the Product Key window. It states that
"According to our records the number of time you can activate Windows with
this product key has been exceeded. Please enter a different product key and
click Retry. . ."
It then wants me to enter the Product key off of the COA. When I enter the
legitimate COA number off the computer it goes back to the above statement.
I then have to call in to get it to work - every computer I use a SysPreped
image on - not so good!
This is my first attempt at SysPrep as the other techies here never used it
so I am assuming some sort of user error on my part. Does anyone have any
idea what step I've missed? Why does my legitimate priduct key not work?

 

[Guest]

This means that either that product key or MULA key has been used more times
than it was originally purchased for. If it is no longer on more PCs than
the license is good for, call the Microsoft product activation number
presented to you at the time of the message.

 

[Guest]

Does this mean that every time I put a new ghost image onto an old computer
I'll have to call Microsoft? That kind of defeats the ease of SysPrep as I
don't have to if I don't use SysPrep. I'd have to call Microsoft for 10
computers at a time (yikes!).

Basically what we're doing here is taking old staff computers and putting
them back out in the library as database computers. I put the SysPrep image
of the database on but then it needs the COA. It's still a legitimate
computer still with a legitimate COA.