Full or Upgraded product needed to replace non-genuine Windows XP

[Guest]

I have a computer that a "technician" installed WindowsXP on for me a couple
of years ago. When trying to upgrade to SP2, I found out that the WindowsXP
Professional installation on the computer is not a valid installation. I
want to correct this, but am not sure if I buy an upgrade version of the
software or the full version and reinstall over what is there. Any advice
would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you are getting the following error message when attempting to update:

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&Product=winxp

You'll need to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

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

Is your version of Windows XP genuine?
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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:

| I have a computer that a "technician" installed WindowsXP on for me a couple
| of years ago. When trying to upgrade to SP2, I found out that the WindowsXP
| Professional installation on the computer is not a valid installation. I
| want to correct this, but am not sure if I buy an upgrade version of the
| software or the full version and reinstall over what is there. Any advice
| would be greatly appreciated.