Basic question on upgrade

[Guest]

Hi,

Wondering if someone could answer a simple question. We are in the process
of finally upgrading our office from a peer to peer to a server based LAN.
The problem is that the forward thinking cheapos in the office installed XP
Home on several of the machines because it was cheaper, and I understand that
we cannot use XP home with a server because it cannot join a domain -correct
me if I am wrong! So my question is, what do I buy to upgrade them to pro?
Do I have to buy a full version of XP pro or will one of the upgrade versions
work?

Thanks in advance
BLG

 

[Malke]

Hi,

Wondering if someone could answer a simple question. We are in the
process of finally upgrading our office from a peer to peer to a
server based LAN. The problem is that the forward thinking cheapos in
the office installed XP Home on several of the machines because it was
cheaper, and I understand that we cannot use XP home with a server
because it cannot join a domain -correct
me if I am wrong! So my question is, what do I buy to upgrade them to
pro? Do I have to buy a full version of XP pro or will one of the
upgrade versions work?

Thanks in advance
BLG

You can buy the upgrade version of Pro to upgrade your Home Edition
machines. And yes, you are correct that Home cannot join a domain. It
can, however, use domain resources. Here are some links to help:

Qualifying Media (for upgrade info)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/matrix.mspx

Why Windows XP Professional is Best for Domain-Based Networks
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/evaluation/overviews/joindommore.asp

Windows XP Home : Accessing data on a Domain Server -
http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/wxphdoms.htm

Windows XP in a Domain Environment -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/evaluation/overviews/xpindomain.asp

Malke

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Wondering if someone could answer a simple question. We are in
the
process of finally upgrading our office from a peer to peer to
a
server based LAN. The problem is that the forward thinking
cheapos in
the office installed XP Home on several of the machines because
it
was cheaper, and I understand that we cannot use XP home with a
server because it cannot join a domain -correct me if I am
wrong!

You are correct that XP Home can not join a domain, but it can
use domain resources.

So
my question is, what do I buy to upgrade them to pro? Do I have
to
buy a full version of XP pro or will one of the upgrade
versions work?

A Full version isn't necessary (although it will work). There is
no special upgrade version just for this, but the regular XP
Professional Upgrade works fine (although it doesn't say so on
the box).

 

[George Hester]

"forward thinking cheapos in the office" - translation mucky mucks.

Why would a office install home version PCs? Seems weird. Cost probably
but in that case will they really afford to do a Domain correctly? Doubt
it.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Why would a office install home version PCs? Seems weird.

Not at all. It depends on the size of the office, how many
computers, how they use them, and so on.

Windows XP Home is fine for many small offices.