Repair Disk Questions

[rccola2424]

I recently got a new mobo/cpu/ram and I need to repair/reinstall Windows.
I only have a few questions since my computer was store-bought and came with no installation disk.
1. Will I need a product key if all I'm doing is repairing?
2. Can it be booted from a flash drive?

 

[PhilFrisbie]

Unless that MB and CPU are VERY similar you will not have a good experience performing a repair install; you should perform a full install when making a major hardware change.

 

[rccola2424]

Unless that MB and CPU are VERY similar you will not have a good experience performing a repair install; you should perform a full install when making a major hardware change.

Well that sucks since I don't have the Windows XP install disk.
Guess I'll have to go blow another $130 bucks for Win7