Windows XP - can't access c: drive, various other start menu/taskbar issues

[Anya]

Okay, I tried to repair from the XP disk.

(1) The previous owner of this laptop bought it with Vista installed.

(2) He subsequently installed XP Professional on it.

(3) When I ran the repair program, it sent me to the upgrade option.  The disk I used to repair XP won't accept the product key I have (from an old laptop that had XP Pro on it).  So I'm stuck in the middle of the upgrade, and I can't use Windows until it completes.

?? 

[SuperDave]

(1) The previous owner of this laptop bought it with Vista installed.

(2) He subsequently installed XP Professional on it.

(3) When I ran the repair program, it sent me to the upgrade option.  The disk I used to repair XP won't accept the product key I have (from an old laptop that had XP Pro on it).  So I'm stuck in the middle of the upgrade, and I can't use Windows until it completes.

Did he wipe the computer and downgrade to XP or did he do a dual-boot with both OS's?
The disk you have must be different than the version of XP that's installed otherwise, it would accept the product key. Do you have the product key from the XP version that you have?

[Anya]

He downgraded to XP.  The sticker on the battery says this laptop came with Vista.  And no, I don't have the disk he used to install XP.  I have no idea what the product key is for the disk I have - my dad didn't write it down anywhere when he gave me the disk, but it obviously isn't for the product key I have from the sticker on my old laptop. 

[SuperDave]

but it obviously isn't for the product key I have from the sticker on my old laptop. 

You may have to do a search and buy a XP disk. You should be able to get one for under $50.

[Anya]

Okay, I guess it looks like this version of Windows is a bust and I'll just have to do a complete reinstall.  I'll see what I can do about getting a new disk, because I'm not loving everything about this Ubuntu platform.  :-/

Many thanks for your help, SuperDave!  You were very patient and kind to donate your time.

[SuperDave]

You're welcome. I will lock this thread. If you need it re-opened, please send me a pm.