Yes, you can as long as it meets the requirements. 300mhz CPU, 125mb of RAM(memory), 1.5 Gb of available HD space, and SVGA(800x600) video adapter.
So I think all 5 yr old laptop can run Windows XP. Tablet Edition XP is a shrink version, it means unwanted applications are removed. Having a computer that comes with a Tablet Edition OS doesn't mean its not upgradeable to Full Edition or maybe to a newer version of windows as long as it meets the minimum system requirements and like you said, you have the drivers for it. Important drivers are : Video driver, Sound driver, LAN and Wireless Network Adapter. If you don't have specified drivers, just wait for it to appear in the available updates for download and the "Service Pack". 99 chances that it will download including the drivers lacking.
By installing a recovery CD from a same model may have problems as it might detect the ID of the Bios and original hardwares that its not the same computer registered to MS... Some will install using same serial # because MS said a serial # can be used in 2 computers. But I don't know w/ recovery cd's, because the CD itself is an image to the HD of the computer where it was originally installed.
Easiest is to have an OEM version of XP.
Don't mind if the laptop has corrupt OS, Just turn it ON, Insert the Windows XP, boot from CD, when setup detects a previous XP installation in its corrupt hard disk, select format the drive option, then setup should continue.
:cheers:
