HELP! Installing XPupgrade crisis!

[Rosie]

I am wanting to install WinXP Professional UPGRADE edition on a
computer. The computer is a 2yr old Dell PC which came with the OS
already installed, so I have no original operating CD, just the product
key for the original operating system (which was XP Home), which is on
the side of the computer. The computer I'm installing it on is gonna
be wiped clean, formatted, so I cannot simply 'upgrade' the existing
OS, I need to do a full install.........am I gonna be able to do this
or have I made a massive mistake buying the upgrade?

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

When you use an upgrade CD for XP, it will ask for the 'original media' or need to find a working windows install. OEM disks usually
do not work for 'original media' usually, since they are 'sysprep images' which only work with one hardware config, and one product
key.

Dell, is an OEM that actually supplies an original cd, for complete setup, and should, as an exception to the usual rule, work as an
'original media' disk. It's my experience that you have a way to do what you want. Yes, I think it will work, (but only in this
case, as far as OEM upgrades go)


..

 

[Guest]

First of all The pro version of XP may not work with all of your hardware.
Second make a backup of your existing hard drive just in case.
Third Dell usually gives you the opportunity to make a set of OS disk that
will allow you to restore your computer back to factory specs.
After accomplishing the above, then play around with your professional
upgrade. To try and and upgrade without some means of going back is asking
for trouble.