CD Key

Ok... here's the story.

I have an HP desktop that decided to crap out on me.
(it lost an .ini file and wont boot)
Found the XP install disc but there's no accompanying product code.

One thing I DO have going for me is I have a laptop (Acer Aspire) I can place the XP cd in and read files off of it.

I've ran the gambit..... downloaded jellybeans
All that did was give me the product key from my ACER
(quite impressive, tho)

I've also ventured into the workings of the XP cd....
W/O going into too much detail, Folder i386..... text file.... product key is *supposed* to be there.
This has worked for me in the past and it *appeared* like it was going to work again..... but the HP says the 25 character key I found wasn't valid.

Needless to say.... I've installed ALL the windows components up to the CD key point (approx 75% of the process)

I'm purposely being a bit long winded because I don't want to waste anyone's time... including my own :)

What I'm looking for is a program I can install on my laptop.... throw this XP cd in the drive and have the CD.... (NOT HARDDRIVE) product code revealed

Is there such a beast???

I seriously don't want to compromise my laptop by going in search of a reverse engineered OS.... but I can't see spending any money on repairing a laptop that may turn out to be junk.

messed up when I wrote .ini file..... was a .dll
Either way.... the HP STILL wont boot)

Need help!!

Thx