How to activate Windows XP in VMware Player

I used a copy of Windows XP that seems to be called "modern.ie" a couple of times in VMware Player, for configuring a USB device that only has XP drivers. The host system is Windows 7 Professional 64bit.

Now, this XP virtual system wants to be activated in order to run. It however does not accept any of the (legal) Windows XP serial numbers that I own. Additionally, when I try to activate over telephone, the voice tells me it can't activate my XP copy also (after I enter the long "Installation ID").

Here is a screenshot:

Thanks for any help how I can manage to run just any copy of XP in VMware Player.

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