So, your computer has been infected with a virus or some spyware, you have tried to remove it and it just isn’t worth the hassle. Instead, you decided to format your computer and reinstall Windows XP to a nice clean slate!

What if you can not find the OEM CD which came with your computer? Using another OEM CD will not work as the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) will not work with other manufacture Windows XP CD-Rom’s.

Seth at Free PC Help provides a great workaround which doesn’t break the law and will leave you with a valid copy of windows.

Source: Free PC Help