G
Guest
Sorry, this is the same post as under the "Upgrading from 'pirated' XP"
thread, but I wanted a title which better describes the problems.
I know I am paying for trying to get around buying the software myself!
I have Windows Me, which has seemed unstable since I first received it
pre-installed on my Dell Inspiron 2500 in 2001. Today I stupidly decided to
install XP Home Edition from a friend's reinstallation CD (it came
pre-installed on his newer Dell.) I did not know about the whole
"activation" thing until it was too late. So, I have to do what I should
have done in the first place - pay for the upgrade. (Since the copy my
friend had was pre-installed, there is no option to purchase a new product
key to activate it on my computer.)
I have two questions: 1.) Obviously I cannot "activate" XP with Microsoft
so I need to go buy it. I HAD Me, which is eligible for the upgrade. XP is,
too... but if I purchase the upgrade (about half the price of the full
edition) is the fact that the existing copy on my computer is not activated
(and can't ever be activated) going to be a problem? I believe I installed
it "cleanly," completely deleting the old Me. (My thinking is that perhaps
since the current edition is not "permanent," (and therefore most likely
pirated) the upgrade might consider me to have no operating system - since
the whole thing is "temporary" - and force me to buy the full edition?)
2.) I would like to revert to Windows Me, and have the reinstallation disk.
However, it is not working on my computer or my friend's computer. The
"step by step instruction" (or something like that) button is greyed out.
Another button which activates some info. about available software is not
greyed out but when I click on it, it says something like, "please reinsert
disk in drive." This does not work. The error message keeps coming up.
What am I doing wrong, and if someone knows, could you please guide me
through with details? Reverting to Me would be best... I could delay (longer
than 30 days) having to buy XP. Also, I could know for sure that the retail
XP upgrade would work and I wouldn't have to buy the $$$ Full edition.
Thanks very very much!
thread, but I wanted a title which better describes the problems.
I know I am paying for trying to get around buying the software myself!
I have Windows Me, which has seemed unstable since I first received it
pre-installed on my Dell Inspiron 2500 in 2001. Today I stupidly decided to
install XP Home Edition from a friend's reinstallation CD (it came
pre-installed on his newer Dell.) I did not know about the whole
"activation" thing until it was too late. So, I have to do what I should
have done in the first place - pay for the upgrade. (Since the copy my
friend had was pre-installed, there is no option to purchase a new product
key to activate it on my computer.)
I have two questions: 1.) Obviously I cannot "activate" XP with Microsoft
so I need to go buy it. I HAD Me, which is eligible for the upgrade. XP is,
too... but if I purchase the upgrade (about half the price of the full
edition) is the fact that the existing copy on my computer is not activated
(and can't ever be activated) going to be a problem? I believe I installed
it "cleanly," completely deleting the old Me. (My thinking is that perhaps
since the current edition is not "permanent," (and therefore most likely
pirated) the upgrade might consider me to have no operating system - since
the whole thing is "temporary" - and force me to buy the full edition?)
2.) I would like to revert to Windows Me, and have the reinstallation disk.
However, it is not working on my computer or my friend's computer. The
"step by step instruction" (or something like that) button is greyed out.
Another button which activates some info. about available software is not
greyed out but when I click on it, it says something like, "please reinsert
disk in drive." This does not work. The error message keeps coming up.
What am I doing wrong, and if someone knows, could you please guide me
through with details? Reverting to Me would be best... I could delay (longer
than 30 days) having to buy XP. Also, I could know for sure that the retail
XP upgrade would work and I wouldn't have to buy the $$$ Full edition.
Thanks very very much!