Help, XP product key compatability with other XP versions

The Problem: Hi, i have a friend that recently bought a dell computer that came with Windows XP MCE installed on it. But now, about 3 months later, her computer is messed up due to Mcafee and it needs a fresh install of windows. This is where we ran into a problem. She looked in her computer stuff and found out that dell didn't send her a re-installation disk for her OS.

The Question: Is it possible to use my Windows XP Home Edition SP2 disk to install windows XP onto her machine using her Windows XP MCE activation code?

 

Short and sweet: No.

Dell should have a recovery procedure, if not, your friend needs to call them and get replacement software.

 

No, it is not.

 

The Control + F11 keys pressed together should bring up the Dell Restore Partition unless it has been erased or the MBR altered.

 

ok, thank you all very much!