You will have to call MS to get a new activation key-code.

"the Admin at his work had upgraded it"

Maybe the Admin tried to activate with an existing activation code in
Microsofts archives and they didn't bite.So he just gave it to the guy
tipped his hat and said"Have a good one."

Probably same xp disk has been used more than a cathouse on payday.

Then again, I'm a basketcase.