my laptop seems to have a bootleg install of xp pro. it is an older computer.
i have put legit copy of xp home upgrade on my other computer and would like
to remove the xp pro and put my upgrade xp home on. it keeps telling me i
can't do this. how can i get past this? i have win 98 disk if that would
help? do i need to reformat hd to get away from this?

Hello,

You have to note two things here:

1) You mention that you have already installed this legitimate version of
Windows XP home on another machine. If so, you cant legally install the same
retail copy on more than one machine

2) You cannot perform a upgrade install of Windows XP home edition on a
current install of Windows XP professional. You will have to perform a clean
installation. You will need to boot from the XP home CD and start the
install. Setup might ask you to insert a earlier version of Windows as proof
of upgrade and you may put in the Windows 98 discs that you have.

--
Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
Microsoft Certified Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org

Folder customizations
http://www.anando.org/folder

"rowinghome" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:E5B7455E-A31B-4938-956F-(E-Mail Removed)...
> my laptop seems to have a bootleg install of xp pro. it is an older
> computer.
> i have put legit copy of xp home upgrade on my other computer and would
> like
> to remove the xp pro and put my upgrade xp home on. it keeps telling me i
> can't do this. how can i get past this? i have win 98 disk if that would
> help? do i need to reformat hd to get away from this?

Thank you so much for the info...I will do a clean install. I had called xp
service number in the back of the folder i rec'd when i bought xp home and
they said when i am ready to install they (service rep) will give me a code
to put in when it tries to register. I explained I had a laptop I wanted to
upgrade and that I had bought xp home for my desktop. The rep told me "no
problem" if it is registering to the same person and address.

Thanks again - maggie
rowinghome

"Anando [MVP]" wrote:

> Hello,
>
> You have to note two things here:
>
> 1) You mention that you have already installed this legitimate version of
> Windows XP home on another machine. If so, you cant legally install the same
> retail copy on more than one machine
>
> 2) You cannot perform a upgrade install of Windows XP home edition on a
> current install of Windows XP professional. You will have to perform a clean
> installation. You will need to boot from the XP home CD and start the
> install. Setup might ask you to insert a earlier version of Windows as proof
> of upgrade and you may put in the Windows 98 discs that you have.
>
> --
> Anando
> Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
> Microsoft Certified Professional
> http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
> http://www.mvps.org
>
> Folder customizations
> http://www.anando.org/folder
>
> "rowinghome" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:E5B7455E-A31B-4938-956F-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > my laptop seems to have a bootleg install of xp pro. it is an older
> > computer.
> > i have put legit copy of xp home upgrade on my other computer and would
> > like
> > to remove the xp pro and put my upgrade xp home on. it keeps telling me i
> > can't do this. how can i get past this? i have win 98 disk if that would
> > help? do i need to reformat hd to get away from this?
>