I finally broke down and built me a new computer and now I have question. On my old computer ( Compaq Presario SR1504x) I would like to know if I can use the folder marked "Windows" for the OS on my new computer and use the key for the old system. Be nice as I am a newbie and don't know a lot about software.
Thanks in advance.

BTW: New system:
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2200
pqi POWER Series 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA Model DRW-2014L1T

If you had a Microsoft (retail) version of XP you could move it to a new computer.

Microsoft would remove the key association from your old motherboard and transfer it to the new one.

The basic principle is one key = one computer. The key is tied to the motherboard.

As to your question: can you move a Compaq XP: probably not.

If it were possible you'd have to run the reinstall CD's from Compaq and if they were to work you would then have to call Microsoft and see if they will transfer the key.

I doubt it will work but you can always try. The Compaq XP is OEM or proprietary to Compaq. Depending on how they set up their Recovery CD it may not even load on a non Compaq system.

You can use a free Linux OS on your new computer such as Ubuntu:

http://www.ubuntu.com/