XP CD Key help

[mo786]

Hi
Fixing a PC for relative

its a crappy Compaq one. The HDD Broke and I need to reinstall XP but I dont have the original CD

There is a genuine CD Key printed on the side.

Is there any reason why i cannot get another XP CD and just use that key? or could they be special codes given to compaq because i understand they may recover from a seperate [artition or they use rocvery disks instead of normal XP retail cds??

also i am guesssing its XP hoem so ONLY an PX home CD would work?

 

[mo786]

its a time senstitive repir (i.e need it done by the weekend, oh well.

i will trey and get an OEM on CD as that s whats needed for the cd key to work (as opposed to a retail CD) i think.

 

[mo786]

I downloaded an OEM disc and it worked OK