Illegit XPPro over legit Home - Win Product Key Update Tool any he

[Guest]

Okay, this is an awkward one.

Received a PC that had died - turns out the power-supply had gone bad.

Once I'd sorted that out, I saw that Windows XP was reporting that the copy
of Windows was invalid.

Seemed very strange because I could see a valid XP Product Key stick on the
back of the machine.

Then I realised what must have happened - someone had installed an
illegitimate copy of XP Pro over the top of the original legitimate version
of XP, which was XP Home!

I want to get this one sorted out for the client but kind of doubt that the
Windows Product Key Update Tool will work if all I do is feed it the original
Product Key for XP Home.

Anyone able to tell me if I'm right or wrong about this?

If I am right (as I strongly suspect), is the client going to have to buy a
valid copy of XP Pro so I can use the Windows Product Key Update Tool to sort
things out?

Naturally, what I'm trying to avoid is a complete reinstall with all the
time and potential for lost programs and data that that would involve.


Thanks in anticipation

Bob Crabtree

 

[Rock]

Okay, this is an awkward one.

Received a PC that had died - turns out the power-supply had gone bad.

Once I'd sorted that out, I saw that Windows XP was reporting that the
copy
of Windows was invalid.

Seemed very strange because I could see a valid XP Product Key stick on
the
back of the machine.

Then I realised what must have happened - someone had installed an
illegitimate copy of XP Pro over the top of the original legitimate
version
of XP, which was XP Home!

I want to get this one sorted out for the client but kind of doubt that
the
Windows Product Key Update Tool will work if all I do is feed it the
original
Product Key for XP Home.

Anyone able to tell me if I'm right or wrong about this?

If I am right (as I strongly suspect), is the client going to have to buy
a
valid copy of XP Pro so I can use the Windows Product Key Update Tool to
sort
things out?

Naturally, what I'm trying to avoid is a complete reinstall with all the
time and potential for lost programs and data that that would involve.

No that won't work. An XP Home product key won't work on an XP Pro system.

 

[Guest]

Rock,

Thanks for the speedy response. Exactly as I though, then, the client is
going to have to buy a valid version of XP Pro.

Cheers

Bob

 

[Rock]

Rock,

Thanks for the speedy response. Exactly as I though, then, the client is
going to have to buy a valid version of XP Pro.

Cheers

Bob

Yes that's the resolution, or do a clean install with XP Home.

 

[Ghostrider]

Rock,

Thanks for the speedy response. Exactly as I though, then, the client is
going to have to buy a valid version of XP Pro.

Cheers

Bob

Of course, one could always give the client the option of having the
original Windows XP Home re-installed and re-use the original Windows
XP Home product key. Even if this computer had an OEM version of XP
installed, changing the PSU does not constitute a "new" computer.