Installing XP PRO OEM over XP Home OEM

[CWatters]

A laptop I'm thinking of buying only comes with XP Home preinstalled.
However I really want XP PRO so that it's the same as our desktop PCs.

If I buy a copy of Win XP PRO OEM (eg the Microsoft branded CD) can it be
installed over XP Home or must I wipe the HD first? If I have to wipe the HD
first I think I will have problems re-installing some of the other S/W that
is provided with the laptop - because they only provide a recovery CD
grrrrrrr.

Is the answer to buy a full WinXP PRO Retail upgrade and install that over
XP Home?

Is it possible to "trade in" the WinXP Home licence?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Only a "Retail Version" of XP Pro can upgrade over XP Home.
An "OEM Version" of XP must be installed on a reformatted drive.
All the specialized drivers for a laptop computer can be downloaded
from the laptop manufacturer's support website.

And no, you cannot trade in a XP Home license.

BTW, Dell laptop computers can be ordered with XP Pro
already installed....something to consider.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| A laptop I'm thinking of buying only comes with XP Home preinstalled.
| However I really want XP PRO so that it's the same as our desktop PCs.
|
| If I buy a copy of Win XP PRO OEM (eg the Microsoft branded CD) can it be
| installed over XP Home or must I wipe the HD first? If I have to wipe the HD
| first I think I will have problems re-installing some of the other S/W that
| is provided with the laptop - because they only provide a recovery CD
| grrrrrrr.
|
| Is the answer to buy a full WinXP PRO Retail upgrade and install that over
| XP Home?
|
| Is it possible to "trade in" the WinXP Home licence?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

No. An OEM CD cannot perform an upgrade.

Bruce Chambers
--
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