A question on installing Windows XP

Factual Questions
1

I have aquired an old laptop. It is currently without OS. I intend to install an OS for my daughter, and due to her lack of computer, internet, and ninja skillz, I figured I would go with Windows.

It is an older laptop, and does not have enough oomph to run Windows 7, and I have a perfectly valid XP Pro key that is not currently being used. It was used previously on an old installation which has since been long done away with.

If I purchase a used copy of XP pro from Amazon, can I install it with the XP Pro key I have, or is each key specific to the CD?

Can I reuse the old key I had, thus giving her a legit install of the OS?

I am not looking for how to circumvent the key requirement, or how to dl an illegal copy of Windows. I already know how to do that, I don’t want to do it for my daughters loot day gift.

Thanks in advance, oh wise ones.

2

The key you have should work with any media provided it’s the right windows XP (home, pro, etc).

However, I’m a little surprised to see that you can buy a used XP disc off amazon. So this is just the installation media, correct?

Anyway, before you buy anything, do you have access to any machines that have XP installed? If you can find one with a c:\i386 folder, you can legitimately create your own installation disc from that and save yourself the hassle of buying a disc.