eval period over for XP Pro

[Dan H.]

I successfully installed XP Home Version. I then installed
an evaluation version of XP Pro. Now that the eval period
is over, I get the dialog box: The evaluation period for
this copy of Windows has ended. Windows cannot start. To
continue using Windows, please purchase and install a
retail copy of the product.

I can I revert to my XP Home version now?

DH

 

[Shenan T. Stanley]

I successfully installed XP Home Version. I then installed
an evaluation version of XP Pro. Now that the eval period
is over, I get the dialog box: The evaluation period for
this copy of Windows has ended. Windows cannot start. To
continue using Windows, please purchase and install a
retail copy of the product.

I can I revert to my XP Home version now?

Well, yes and no.

You can format and start over with your copy of Windows XP Home edition.
I know of no way to "uninstall" Windows XP Pro - trial or not.

I could be incorrect on this matter - anyone else have contradictory
information?

 

[Dan H]

My Home XP is the upgrade version. If I format the drive,
win 98 is gone also.

When I close the dialog box, the computer reboots and I
can't interrupt the process, i.e. using f8. How can I get
to the C: prompt?

How would I even install a retail version of XP Pro?

DH

 

[Dan H]

Thanks Shenan and Don. I was able to boot the computer
using the Home XP CD. It asked if I wanted to install it
over XP warning that it would cause this os to be
dysfunctional. I did it. The only things I lost were some
files that I had saved to the desktop, all the data in my
favorites file for IE, software I had installed while
using XP Pro. Even my wireless router wasn't affected, and
I was able to use the Web during the registration process.

You guys saved me a lot of trouble.

DH

 

[Donald McDaniel]

Thanks Shenan and Don. I was able to boot the computer
using the Home XP CD. It asked if I wanted to install it
over XP warning that it would cause this os to be
dysfunctional. I did it. The only things I lost were some
files that I had saved to the desktop, all the data in my
favorites file for IE, software I had installed while
using XP Pro. Even my wireless router wasn't affected, and
I was able to use the Web during the registration process.

You guys saved me a lot of trouble.

DH

You installed XP Home Edition on top of an evaluation of XP Pro? I
certainly didnt advise you to do this!!. XP Home is a DOWNGRADE from XP
PRO, and must be installed "CLEAN" (on a freshly formatted partition) if
your installed version of Windows is XP PRO "eval". I thought you were
upgrading Windows 98. This is the advice I gave you, not advice to
install XP Home over the top of an evaluation of XP Pro.

The only way to uninstall an evaluation copy of XP Pro is via "partition
and format".

According to all the "experts" you shouldn't have done what you did, and
I believe you are in for trouble down the line somewhere. If anything,
you have violated the End User Licensing Agreement of your XP Home
upgrade, which must be used to either install "clean", or as an upgrade
of a PREVIOUS version of Windows, such as Windows 98/ME, Windows 2000,
or Windows NT 4.x. In other words, an evaluation version of Microsoft
software cannot be used as a base for an upgrade version of a retail
product.