How to reinstall my windows xp, please help

[yzhuan1]

Hi,

I bought a dell laptop installed windows xp home edition. The laptop has the problem, so I want to reinstall it. But I don't have installation disk, so I borrowed a windows xp professional service pack 2 disk, and install on my ladtop. Everything is fine, but it asked me to activate windows xp, or it will not be used after 15 days. I enter the activate code, but failed. What can I do right now?

[Whyzman]

I borrowed a windows xp professional service pack 2 diskThe XP Pro disk you borrowed probably has already been activated and is registered to the disk owner.

Hang on, we've some Dell-aware folks here who can advise you on how to reinstall...by the way, that's not the state. ;)

[mjc]

Hi,

I bought a dell laptop installed windows xp home edition. The laptop has the problem, so I want to reinstall it. But I don't have installation disk, so I borrowed a windows xp professional service pack 2 disk, and install on my ladtop.

Your key and activation are for XP Home...not Pro, I'm not surprised it isn't working properly. You will either need to find an XP Home disk to install with or purchase an XP Pro license/product key (which will probably come with its own disk...).