Windows XP re install

I am trying to re install my XP HOme. My disc is genuine and there is a sticker with an authenticity number on my monitor for the product. Problem is the number requested at install has a lot more numbers in it. We have owned this computer since new, approx. 6 years. Thanks for any help.
Reeder

 

The sticker on my monitor says that the authenticity sticker must be put on the computer and then there are about 12-13numbers! I assumed this was the coa number.There was no number on cd, no number on back of tower. Guess that means I will have to buy an new edition of XP!

 

The number you need is called the "product key". It is five groups of five letters and numbers. There are no vowels, no number one, no zero, no letter S, no letter Z. It would look something like this: P9K8M-B3G4Q-3489W-9843K-BQPY7. You get the idea. This is a random number I made up so don't try to use it

 

see if this link helps you. does your label look similar (there is also a previous version link on that page)? what exactly does your coa label say on it? does it say xp, or what? g/l, sos

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/content.aspx?displaylang=en&pg=coa <-- How To Tell - What is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)?

 

The sticker has a small yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in the middle. Under neath it says Windows XP Home Editon. with this number 00043-143-697-322. and it also says "YOu are required to affix this Certificate of Authenticity label to the exterior of the PC. This sticker does not look like any of the stickers on the web site dealing with coa. Interesting!
Thanks.

 

Unfortunately, that number is the Product Code corresponding to the original package and is used to track retail distribution & sales, each one is different. The sticker with the product code was also on the cellophane wrapping of the original package that you probably don't have anymore, or the retailer might not have even given it to you once they installed windows.

If you can contact the retailer, they may have kept a log with the Product Code and the Product Key from each package.

 

Thanks for that! I got it from a small business in our area but he has since retired. Will try to contact him. It's only my kids computer anyway! lol Mine's just fine!! Thanks for all your help! This is a great forum. Keep up the good work!
reeder