Reinstalling Windows XP

[Guest]

Ok this is my situation: I am running Windows XP which was installed from a
CD that was pirated. Now I would like to have the SP1 and SP2 updates, and
obviously I cant due to the invalid product key. I also have an authentic
'Windows XP w/SP2' CD that I bought, and would like to install. Can I simply
reinstall this authentic 'Windows XP w/SP2' over my existing windows without
losing any files? Also since my current version of windows does not have SP1,
can I automaticcaly go from no service packs to SP2 or do I to have SP1
already installed in order to go to SP2. Basically does SP2 contain
everything SP1 does and then somemore? How exactly do I go about installing
this Windows XP w/SP2 without losing my current
programs/files/configurations? Thank you

 

[Guest]

You will be much better off backing up your files and starting over. While
you can install an OS on top of another OS you may run into issues during MS
updates with having a invalid copy of windows.

 

[Jerry]

You boot from the 'new' CD you just purchased with a valid licens key and
opt to do a REPAIR install. This will preserve all your settings and make
things legal. Go here:
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm
for info with pix on doing a repair install.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Ok this is my situation: I am running Windows XP which was installed from a
CD that was pirated. Now I would like to have the SP1 and SP2 updates, and
obviously I cant due to the invalid product key. I also have an authentic
'Windows XP w/SP2' CD that I bought, and would like to install. Can I simply
reinstall this authentic 'Windows XP w/SP2' over my existing windows without
losing any files?

Yes, but you should back up any important data, just in case something
goes wrong.

Also since my current version of windows does not have SP1,
can I automaticcaly go from no service packs to SP2 or do I to have SP1
already installed in order to go to SP2. Basically does SP2 contain
everything SP1 does and then somemore?

Yes, WinXP's service packs are cumulative, so SP2 contains everything
that SP1 had, plus subsequent fixes.

How exactly do I go about installing
this Windows XP w/SP2 without losing my current
programs/files/configurations? Thank you

You need to use the _legitimate_ license of WinXP Pro to perform a
repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the new CD and
Product Keys.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Curt Christianson]

Hi Fazal,

In additional to all the other great advice, even after getting SP2
installed, be sure to visit Windows Udate, as there are somewhere in the
neighborhood of 60-80 *additional* updates that have come out after the SP2
was realeased.

--
HTH,
Curt

Windows Support Center
www.aumha.org
Practically Nerded,...
http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm

| Ok this is my situation: I am running Windows XP which was installed from
a
| CD that was pirated. Now I would like to have the SP1 and SP2 updates, and
| obviously I cant due to the invalid product key. I also have an authentic
| 'Windows XP w/SP2' CD that I bought, and would like to install. Can I
simply
| reinstall this authentic 'Windows XP w/SP2' over my existing windows
without
| losing any files? Also since my current version of windows does not have
SP1,
| can I automaticcaly go from no service packs to SP2 or do I to have SP1
| already installed in order to go to SP2. Basically does SP2 contain
| everything SP1 does and then somemore? How exactly do I go about
installing
| this Windows XP w/SP2 without losing my current
| programs/files/configurations? Thank you