Win XP stuck...seriously need guidance

[Stacy]

I have a friends computer here (Gateway) with Win XP Pro.
His modem stopped working and he didn't have any antivirus
software activated. So I updated everything which took 4
hours, then I scanned his computer to find SEVERAL
different viruses. They couldn't be repaired and got
deleted. Well now I can't boot from the OS cd that came
w/the laptop from Gateway. So I repaired the OS and now
that it want's the product key that came w/the cd and
machine...it is saying it is not valid, and now I can't do
anything. The CD Rom is the first to boot up from but it
doesn't work now. I am at my wits end and need some
detailed instructions on what to do. I tried to restart
the computer but it keeps going back to WIndows setup and
when we get to the product key...we can't go anywhere from
there....PLEASE HELP@!!! You can email me at
(e-mail address removed)
Thank you Stacy

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Stacy;
Are you using the Product Key that came with that CD?
There are many types of each and they are not interchangeable.

Look very closely, O-0, B-8, G-6, I-1 and others look alike.
Have someone else try, sometimes another set of eyes and fingers can
get it.

 

[Stacy]

actually, yes I did double check, but how do I get back to
the os w/out it going right back into the startup...that's
where I get stuck with the Product Key

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Stacy;
You may need to contact Gateway

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html