Windows XP Pro Operating System

I currently have xp pro on my home pc but can no longer download/install updates or SP2 as I do not have a product/licence key. Does anyone know of any way around this problem?

As a last resort i am considering buying a OEM version of XP Pro with the key for about £95 from Micro Direct online. However I have never installed an OPS before and don't know how easy or complicated it mite be. Will it wipe all other programs from my pc, ie Word, Excel, Access, etc etc? I do not have any discs for these so cannot install them again! If it is likely to wipe everything is there a way around protectin them while installin the new OPS?

Please help, i'm female btw if that explains a lot!

Cheers!

 

can apparently buy xp pro/sp2/product key on ebay or just the key....but how does a thicko like me know if its the correct version and not the eastern europe thingy ive heard about that doesnt work??

 

is it correct that if i buy an OEM version of XP Pro then i dont have to install it and wipe my hard drive, i can simply activate my current version with the new product key