Re-installation of XP

I have Acer Aspire 5600 which came with XP pre-installed. Either I did not receive the XP media when I purchased the notebook or then I have misplaced it. I need to install XP again due to some problem. How do I do it?
I have another XP CD with its own product key. I cannot use this key on my notebook because I have already used the key for my other PC for whcih I bought the XP license. I cannot use this media and give the original product key number that came with pre-installed XP on my notebook. It gives error. Installation refuses to accept the notbook product key.
Question: Is there anyway to install XP on my notebook with the same product key the notebook came with without the original XP CD? Or buying XP license again is the only solution?

Thanks

A V Veerkar

 

Can't you just use the key on the other XP disc?

 

Yes I can but then I will have two PCs with same license keys which is illegal and also I will keep getting the messages from Microsoft that I am using illegal version.

A V Veerkar

 

Don't you have an OEM CD Key sticker on the back of the laptop? Maybe you can use your XP CD for installation but with your OEM CD Key..

 

If your hidden partition is still intact simply push Alt+F10 at boot up and system recovery will automatically start.

The default password is six zero's.

Cheers,
Theo

 

Yes I have the sticker and it has the OEM key. But when I supply this key during the installation it gives message as invalid key.

A V Veerkar

 

That is a wonderful piece of info I will remember but unfortunately I cannot use it now. I have already formatted the drive and repartioned it differently.

Regards

A V Veerkar

 

Check the Preserving OEM Pre-Activation when Re-installing Windows XP white paper by Microsft maybe this can solve your problem.
For what I understand of it, you install the xp with cd-key provided in the white paper, and then use your oem key to activate.