fix illegal upgrade from OEM Home XP to XP Pro must retain applica

[Guest]

My client purchased 2 PCs with OEM XP Home, then another consultant upgrade
to Win XP Pro with illegal XP Pro. The client then installed his his site
specific application, via download. The unfortunate client paid the for the
upgrade. This is all pre SP1. The good news is that the consultant has gone
belly up, the bad news is that the client needs to upgrade to SP2. The
client was not impressed that he has to pay again to upgrade, but is willing
to purchase an upgrade, but needs to retain his applications.
1. The reality is that the client doesn't need Win XP Pro - no domain etc,
so XP Home would suffice. Can he revalidate his original OEM XP Home,
without uninstalling his applications
2. If the answer is no, if the client purchases 2 XP Pro upgrade licenses,
can the illegal XP Pro be upgraded to legal XP Pro?
3. The critical issue is that the client does not want to reinstall their
client applications.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

There is no downgrade option from Windows XP Pro to Home, Windows XP Home is
not an option for your client since a reinstallation is not wanted.

Windows XP Pro Upgrade will suffice as long as there is qualifying media
such as Windows 95, 98, ME etc.
A Repair Installation will preserve data and settings:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm
Back-up important data just in case.

Also see:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/invalpk.htm