WinXP activation

[unfalliblekrutch]

So a friend got a bunch of viruses/spyware and wanted me to reformat/reinstall windows for him, but he doesn't have his OEM cd from compaq. I use my Dell OEM cd to install windows for him, and call up microsoft so I can get it activated. Now, the last 5 or 6 times I've done this, it'll fail activation, but a live rep can activate it for me once I explain the situation. This time however, the stupid automated system thing just tells me that my product key is invalid and cannot be activated, then thanks me for calling and hangs up.

Is this microsoft's new policy or did I do something wrong?
What can I do?
EDIT: nevermind i got it figured out

 

[imported_Imp]

I'm not sure how Compaq and Dell activation worksm but for normal Oem, have you tried speaking gibberish (or say F you) to the automated system? That got me a real person whom I read my activation number to. Also, those codes generated by windowx are related to the CD I think, so that may be an issue?

 

[orion23]

I just did the same thing (compaq / dell) and someone @ microsoft activated it for me!