We did create special app packages with the downloaded drivers for each machine make and model. We were essentially paying for two licenses, one included in the machine cost and a 2nd with the VLP count, but the extra cost was considered recovered in support and administration costs. I've worked at large places where we used VLP licenses on every machine, and VLP licenses for XP and 2003 didn't need to be activated. Some resellers will use the default OEM CD, but you may need the original manufacturer's OEM CD to match that 5 digit number, especially from majors like Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony, etc. The retail version is always an option, but you need to activate online. There are some versions that can always be installed, but you may need to download and install additional drivers from the machine manufacturer. Note that some antivirus will flag this as rogue software, but it is from a trusted source and a viable admin tool as I use it. Nirsoft makes a free one 'Produkey' that I've used. There are some utilities to recover the license key, if the current OS is installed and operational. Some manufacturer CDs don't need to be activated, similar to VLP. You wont be able to use an XP home license to install Media Center. The CDs for each product are identical, so you can use the XP Media Center from your friend's house if you have a MC license key on yours as well. With Dell for example, there are individual discs to match the product that the machine was purchased and that is on the sticker. If the sticker is for home version or media version, etc, you need to select that version on CD. You need to have the right version on CD for that encoded in the license key on the sticker. This number is probably encoded in the license key you type in, and how it checks if it's valid while you're installing. For example, my XP Pro number starts with 76487-OEM-xxxxxxx-xxxxx.

Windows XP versions are keyed to a product code, which is indicated by the first 5 digits of the number you find in the About box.

Windows xp oem acer iso