[NAME]: Thanks again for the thorough explanation. I'm happy to say that I was able to explain the situation to Microsoft phone activation and they transferred me to the "Product Key Team." Here are the details, in case this helps another user in a similar situation... In a nutshell, it took me numerous calls to Microsoft and one to Dell, but ultimately, once I understood the problem and conveyed this to Microsoft, they got the job done for me. So, kudos to the MS product key team. Thanks again for feedback here folks! Jamie
Hi, I recently got a new Dell Vostro 1310 with a downgrade to Windows XP Pro 3. I wanted to reinstall Windows to make a couple of partitions. I've got 2 problems with that. 1. There is no product key on the CD. It says the product key is on the laptop itself, but there is only the windows vista key.  2. I started the installation anyway and got to the part where it shows the different partitions. there was only the C partitions (and one other one, but that was tiny) and i couldnt delete it because it said there were some necessary temporary files on it, which are needed for the installation. So i left it with one partition and then it said that it is no good idea to install windows when there is already a operating system on the disk. How do I reinstall Windows XP?
Windows XP downgrade without Product Key