Win XP Home question

[Howedar]

I've been trying to save a friend's computer, which is running XP Home. I need to reinstall the OS. She doesn't have the setup CDs or WinXPHome on a CD, so I tried the CD that came on my laptop. I got halfway through the install, only to find out that the HP CD didn't like the Sony laptop - it would not accept her valid key, nor mine. So now I'm stuck halfway through a Windows install, which leaves the computer completely worthless. I've been asking around to see if anyone in my dorm has a retail copy of WinXP Home, but to no avail. It's not a matter of legality, as I have a legitimate key. I just don't have the farking CD to install it with.

Anyone have any ideas?

[The Kernel]

I've been trying to save a friend's computer, which is running XP Home. I need to reinstall the OS. She doesn't have the setup CDs or WinXPHome on a CD, so I tried the CD that came on my laptop. I got halfway through the install, only to find out that the HP CD didn't like the Sony laptop - it would not accept her valid key, nor mine. So now I'm stuck halfway through a Windows install, which leaves the computer completely worthless. I've been asking around to see if anyone in my dorm has a retail copy of WinXP Home, but to no avail. It's not a matter of legality, as I have a legitimate key. I just don't have the farking CD to install it with.

Anyone have any ideas?

Ahem, there are alternate ways of finding copies of Windows XP. PM if you need more info.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

I've been trying to save a friend's computer, which is running XP Home. I need to reinstall the OS. She doesn't have the setup CDs or WinXPHome on a CD, so I tried the CD that came on my laptop. I got halfway through the install, only to find out that the HP CD didn't like the Sony laptop - it would not accept her valid key, nor mine. So now I'm stuck halfway through a Windows install, which leaves the computer completely worthless. I've been asking around to see if anyone in my dorm has a retail copy of WinXP Home, but to no avail. It's not a matter of legality, as I have a legitimate key. I just don't have the farking CD to install it with.

Anyone have any ideas?

Scrub the hard drive clean and try again. If you're doing an OS reinstall, then something may have been fucked up in the previous installation.

[Howedar]

The problem being, the hardware fit does not match what is on the CD. And I don't have a retail CD.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

The problem being, the hardware fit does not match what is on the CD. And I don't have a retail CD.

Oh, wonderful Windows licensing scheme huh? You're probably hosed then, unless you can find an OEM copy of XP Pro for sale on eBay or your local software store. (We're talking legitimate ways to get your hands on the software here. 'Alternative' methods of scoring it tend to be illegal, and thus can't be discussed here.)

[Howedar]

I've decided to bite the bullet and buy new Sony system recovery CDs, then reformat. I fucked this up, and I'll be damned if I'll hand someone's computer back to them and say "Oops, I fucked it up and you can't use it anymore, sorry."