Windows XP - eBay laptop purchase and o/s failed validation

I'm helping out a friend and now I need help. The friend purchased a Compaq laptop from eBay.

Installing a USB wireless adapter in the laptop and decided to also do the Microsoft security updates and load a anti-virus since it didn't have one. The updates went to the validation of the software and it has failed. There is a MS product key on the

bottom that is easily readable. The windows xp update product key did not work.

I then noticed the key is for XP Home Edition. The laptop had XP Pro installed. I have a dusty copy of XP Home Edition (I'm running only Win 7) from a long gone PC. Can I use it and the key on the bottom of the laptop? My copy has a product key on the

box. Really hate to re-install but that is the case.

Does Digital River have a copy of XP Home Edition I can get?

The laptop does not meet the specs for even Vista.

Thanks from me and him.

Darryl

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