Hello Robert Komskis
You wrote, "...have the activation code on the side of the computer."
This would mean that your computer has a Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) for some version and edition of Windows. The CoA has the edition that it is good for printed on it. Let's assume that it is for Windows XP Pro, because that's what's installed at the moment.
If the second line of the CoA has a manufacturer's name (Dell, Acer, Sony, Toshiba, Lenovo, HPQ/HP/Compaq [may be one of those three], etc.), then your best source for the CD(s) that you will need to cleanly install XP Pro on the new hard disk drive is the manufacturer. Visit the support pages for your exact model to see if recovery or reinstallation discs are available to order. If the manufacturer is out of stock, try
www.restoredisks.comIf the second line of the CoA is "OEM Software" or "OEM Product" then the small systembuider/manufacturer installed a systembuilder/OEM/small manufacturer license on the computer, which means the CD to use is the Microsoft genuine hologrammed Windows XP Pro CD for OEM licenses; these CDs have "For distribution with a new PC only" printed in the hologram in the upper left quadrant of the CD. The best source for this CD is the systembuilder who built the computer--they can order a replacement from Microsoft for free. If your systembuilder is out of business, please see this section "Media replacement for users of system builders' computers" of this MS Kb article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/326246
For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp
