Evaluation copy expires soon

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark B
  • Start date Start date
M

Mark B

Hi,
I paid for and attended some Microsoft courses on 2003 and
XP, and the manuals had these nice evaluation copies of the
software, which I have dutifully been using.
Now I get this message saying that the license will expire,
and I ought to buy and install a full retail version.
OK, says I, now I have bought a full retail version.
But to change the product key, I get lost.
According to online MSFT documentation, the evaluation copy
is not eligible for 'in-place upgrade'.
I will lose all the MSFT patches and fixes (which took
forever to download and install) ?
I will have to reinstall all other software, reconfigure
each of them, reinstall hardware drivers ?
It's easy enough to copy files elsewhere.
But neither User State Migration Tool or Files and Settings
Transfer Wizard will allow me to maintain the configuration
just like it is.
Why is not just possible to replace the product key, and
keep on running ?
I've done a lot of work on this beastie machine, and I have
to redo it all to get back to where I am already ?

TIA, feel free to mail me direct.

Cheers,
Mark
 
Using your new Windows CD and Product Key,

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| Hi,
| I paid for and attended some Microsoft courses on 2003 and
| XP, and the manuals had these nice evaluation copies of the
| software, which I have dutifully been using.
| Now I get this message saying that the license will expire,
| and I ought to buy and install a full retail version.
| OK, says I, now I have bought a full retail version.
| But to change the product key, I get lost.
| According to online MSFT documentation, the evaluation copy
| is not eligible for 'in-place upgrade'.
| I will lose all the MSFT patches and fixes (which took
| forever to download and install) ?
| I will have to reinstall all other software, reconfigure
| each of them, reinstall hardware drivers ?
| It's easy enough to copy files elsewhere.
| But neither User State Migration Tool or Files and Settings
| Transfer Wizard will allow me to maintain the configuration
| just like it is.
| Why is not just possible to replace the product key, and
| keep on running ?
| I've done a lot of work on this beastie machine, and I have
| to redo it all to get back to where I am already ?
|
| TIA, feel free to mail me direct.
|
| Cheers,
| Mark
 
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