XP product key reinstate

In a rush of blood to the head, I elected to reinstall XP instead of patiently doing a delete and repair job. For me - not a major intellect - big mistake. Because I was stupidly under the impression that since I had my genuine XP product key, it could be attached to any reinstallation of XP. WRONG. You can guess the rest. Rude mail from Bill and the Gang that I was using bootleg XP and please pay up.
So, is it somehow possible to reinstall my genuine product key? The original CD is long gone.
If this is not possible, I suspect that my original XP may be still on its partition. How do I find it?

 

Thanks a million for the fast reply, Halo, but MS has knocked me back. This would be because I have given a valid product key, but not for the XP build that I have loaded. Sigh. So what to do next. Guess I'll phone someone there and ask for mercy in the shape of an approval, but knowing Microsoft, I won't be holding my breath.
But maybe there's a last chance. While I was loading XP, it asked me whether I wanted to load in the same partition. I said sure, but then it said the partition was too small. So maybe my old XP version is still lurking somewhere. Jelly Bean only gives my current key, so can you tell me where I might be able to find the old install - if it still exists?

 

This makes me suspect that you might have an OEM system loaded with a recovery partition. This may be of use to you! This will allow you to push out an image of your system, restoring it to how it was setup the day you brought it home. If you are interested, please post your manufacturer, make and model.

 

Gee, Milty, in the midst of these dark times, you might be the ray of bright sun that I need. My desk box is a Dell Optiplex GX260 and have tried to put the illegal software issue to bed by reinstalling the original Product Key that's still on the side.
The key that I installed and which caused all the trouble was for XP Build 2600.xpsp_sp2-rtm.040803-2158(Service Pack 2), so I guess what I need to sort out is either:
(1) Find out if there's the original OS on a partition somewhere (as per the sticker on the side) and reinstall that.
(2) Get Microsoft to believe my mistake was not to con them ... and let me apply my current installation to the above sticker key.
(3) Ask Microsoft if they would cancel my (side sticker) genuine OEM XP and in exchange, approve the one that they think is bootleg. That would be the best outcome - and easiest for all concerned - but I don't think they'd go for it.
Any help you can give me, Milty, would be a Godsend.
I going on hols for a bit, but whatever good thoughts you can brighten my day with will be acted on as soon as I get back.

 

Okay, it's time for me to shoot myself in the foot now that it is in my mouth.

I did find a manual at Dell for the Optiplex GX260, titled Reinstalling Your Operating System, however:

 

Thanks, Milty, but what I want to do is restore XP from the version that is already in the partition. How do I access it? It is the only version I dare use.

 

Yes, I follow that much, but what I'm saying is that there are no instructions for doing that on Dell's site that DON'T require your restore disks.

I would suggest that your next best course of action would be to contact Dell, and order a replacement, as they should be relatively cheap.

Failing that, you might try to get your hands on an OEM copy of XP, and install that, using your product key.

 

Worth a shot, but that is disheartening!

 

Thanks again, Milty, I´ll certainly give it a shot. But I´m really surprised that it seems so hard to access the OS stored in its partition. One might have thought that it was there for that very reason ... to reinstall when needed. Anyway, Milty, top marks for being a good fellow. Hope it works.