Use XP Pro Key to Install XP Home?

[joemango]

I have a dell laptop that was purchased from my friend's workplace
that had a sluggish, locked down, domain-based XP pro install on it.
The computer did not come with any reinstall discs, but a friend
suggested that I use his copy of XP Home SP2 (OEM, BTW) to do a fresh
install and use the XP Pro Key from the sticker on the back of the
laptop.

So I tried it, and after formatting the C: drive and starting a fresh
install, I get to the product key screen and just as I figured, my
friend was wrong. So now I have a laptop stuck on the product key
screen, and a valid XP Pro key that I can't use. I can't use my
friend's XP Home product key or it won't validate...

So here's my question.. if I just use his XP home key for the install
and use one of the Product key replacement methods posted everywhere
on the net, can I shoehorn the XP Pro key onto the machine once i get
past the install? I want to be able to update to sp3 on this machine.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a dell laptop that was purchased from my friend's workplace
that had a sluggish, locked down, domain-based XP pro install on it.
The computer did not come with any reinstall discs, but a friend
suggested that I use his copy of XP Home SP2 (OEM, BTW) to do a
fresh install and use the XP Pro Key from the sticker on the back
of the laptop.

So I tried it, and after formatting the C: drive and starting a
fresh install, I get to the product key screen and just as I
figured, my friend was wrong. So now I have a laptop stuck on the
product key screen, and a valid XP Pro key that I can't use. I
can't use my friend's XP Home product key or it won't validate...

So here's my question.. if I just use his XP home key for the
install and use one of the Product key replacement methods posted
everywhere on the net, can I shoehorn the XP Pro key onto the
machine once i get past the install? I want to be able to update
to sp3 on this machine.

Answer to 'subject question' - no.
Answer to expanded 'message body' question with background information - no.

If you want to utilize a Windows XP Professional product key - you need to
have a copy of/installed version of Windows XP Professional to utilize it
with. They are not interchangeable.