I have an computer that's a few years old.

I recently purchased a 100GB hard drive for it. I want to install the copy of windows XP home on this hard drive. It's the same windows disc that came with the computer. So I can't see it violating any Microsoft "laws".

Its still a good system, it just needs an operating system on it. Currently its just sitting up here collecting dust and I'd like to get it going again.

I had tried to do this before, and I ran into this activation problem. How do I activate it. Ive been told you have to phone Microsoft, and then they charge you money.

Uarg... I miss the good old days, when you could just do a reformatt without the worry of all this piracy, hidden fee's breaking laws, etc... politics politics...

Anyway, is this possible, or will that computer just rott? I mean, I could spend $200 for a new licence, but for only a couple hundred more I could get a whole new computer. Just seems kind of wastefull, and wasting money is not a luxury I have.

Call the number. Press the prompts for "installation problems" and they will not charge you money... and everything will go fine as long as you are the registered owner of the computer/windows software.

Ran into this myself once and it was no problem.