HD crash [can't activate new installation]

I had Xp professional installed on my computer. My hard drive was making some strange noises for a while, and soon died completely. It was replaced and everything was reinstalled. I got the "Windows must be activated in __ days" thing all the time, but procrastinated until now. I go to activate it today, and it tells me that the cd key has been used too many times. It was used only once, and on this same computer. Do I really have to get a new cd key just because of a hard drive crash?? I definitely will NOT be paying for this again if that's the case. If necessary I will use Linux or something. I can't see any way around this problem, and was very much hoping that someone here would have some kind of answer for me. I only have a few days left before windows will no longer work, which means no internet. So, it would be greatly appreciated if someone could help me out as soon as possible. Thanks, and I look forward to spending alot of time in this forum in the future.

 

Where did you get your copy of WindowsXP? A "system builder" or business owner might purchase a "volume license" from Microsoft. Then they can install XP on many computers. That license may be valid for a certain limited number of installs, and the maximum number may have been reached! By all means try and activate your WindowsXP over the phone with Microsoft. You have nothing to lose!

 

The computer was one that I built myself, and the copy of windows xp I purchased myself at Best Buy I believe. I guess activating over the phone is my only option now, and I really hope it works.

 

Phone activation should be easy enough. The M$ techs deal with it all the time and I don't remember anyone on here ever reporting back with a bad experience.