Can I upgrade?

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Guest

Hello,
My hard drive crashed. I had to quickly get back up and going and a friend
gave me a copy of their Windows XP Professional to install on my new hard
drive. The key code would not activate Windows and I have 20 days left to do
so. I was told I could call Microsoft but I heard that was a huge hassle. I
was wondering if I could upgrade to XP Prof. SPS 2, which is half the cost of
the full version. Am I able to upgrade the XP I currently have if it is not
activated? Or do I just buy the full version?
Thank you to any one who could help me!
 
Sunixx said:
Hello,
My hard drive crashed. I had to quickly get back up and going and a
friend
gave me a copy of their Windows XP Professional to install on my new hard
drive. The key code would not activate Windows and I have 20 days left to
do
so. I was told I could call Microsoft but I heard that was a huge hassle.
I
was wondering if I could upgrade to XP Prof. SPS 2, which is half the cost
of
the full version. Am I able to upgrade the XP I currently have if it is
not
activated? Or do I just buy the full version?
Thank you to any one who could help me!
Click to expand...

If you don't have your own copy of a version of Windows that is acceptable
for the upgrade then you need the full version.
 
If your current version of Windows is eligible for upgrade to Windows
XP, you can use Upgrade Advisor to make sure your hardware and software
are compatible with Windows XP professional.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx

You are eligible to upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP Professional if you
are a licensed user of one of these products:
Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows NT Workstation 4.0,
Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home Edition


How to get Windows XP Professional:-
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/default.mspx

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]
 
"I heard that was a huge hassle"
Rarely.a hassle at all
It is a lie spread largely by Microsoft critics as part of their
misinformation campaign.
 
Hello,
My hard drive crashed. I had to quickly get back up and going and a friend
gave me a copy of their Windows XP Professional to install on my new hard
drive. The key code would not activate Windows and I have 20 days left to do
so. I was told I could call Microsoft but I heard that was a huge hassle. I
was wondering if I could upgrade to XP Prof. SPS 2, which is half the cost of
the full version. Am I able to upgrade the XP I currently have if it is not
activated? Or do I just buy the full version?
Thank you to any one who could help me!
Click to expand...


I'd buy the full version off eBay, which is where I got
mine. With Vista about to be released, you can get the full
XP Pro real cheap.

Look for the Buy It Now option



Tallahassee
 
Talahasee said:
I'd buy the full version off eBay, which is where I got
mine. With Vista about to be released, you can get the full
XP Pro real cheap.

Look for the Buy It Now option



Tallahassee
Click to expand...

Is there any way to ensure that what you buy is a genuine copy that you
can register with Microsoft and get updates for, rather than an iffy
pirated copy?
 
Peter;
Buyer beware especially on Ebay.
Compare the sellers feedback.

If you need a better guarantee, you should buy locally.
 
Peter said:
Is there any way to ensure that what you buy is a genuine copy that you
can register with Microsoft and get updates for, rather than an iffy
pirated copy?
Click to expand...


Ask the seller for the names and contact information of satisfied
customers whom you can contact for references. If he balks, you know he
has something to hide. Otherwise, not really.

One should be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay
makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate; they
react only when someone files a complaint. (And then all that really
happens is the seller of the pirated software returns using a different
alias, to continue selling illegitimate licenses.)



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Bruce.
Ebay does make some effort to pull illegitimate sales.
But it is so small compared to the volume one should not count on it for any
level of protection.
As you suggest though, most is after the fact and of little help to the
victim.
 
Jupiter said:
Bruce.
Ebay does make some effort to pull illegitimate sales.
Click to expand...


That's not what I was referring to. Does eBay make any effort to
verify the legitimacy of software (i.e., do they check each seller's
product) *before* allowing the sale to be posted? That would be the
only effective means to preventing the sale of illicit software via
their web site.

But it is so small compared to the volume one should not count on it for any
level of protection.
As you suggest though, most is after the fact and of little help to the
victim.
Click to expand...


Yes, such efforts are definitely more than "a day late and a dollar short."


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Sunixx said:
I was told I could call Microsoft but I heard that was a huge hassle.
Click to expand...

Especially when you're trying to install a copy that is probably
installed and active on your friend's computer.

Buy your own.
 
Bruce;
Ebay does make some effort.
I had an item pulled because of poor wording on my part.
It seemed like I could be selling illegitimate software which was not the
case.
They did not check with me, but the item was still removed and I had to
re-list after rewording.
IIRC, it was day 2 of a 10 day auction.

My point is there is some effort on EBay's part.
But it is small enough that no one should count on it for protection.
 
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