Install XP on top of XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter seaweed1317
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seaweed1317

I found out after Microsoft threw in a "validation" update a couple weeks
ago, that I had an "illegal" copy of XP Pro. Rather than get anybody into
trouble, I went & bought my own "legal" copy. I am not "computer smart",
like you guys, so was wondering if I can put one on top of the other. I
don't want to reformat & lose not only my wireless settings but the shared
folder I paid $$$ to have set up. Any advice is appreciated.
.......Sandy
 
I highly recommend you backup your data before attempting this. It is
unlikely to cause a problem but anything that writes to system files has the
potential to cause problems.

If you are using the same version of Windows i.e. XP Home to XP Home or
upgrading XP Home to XP Pro you can do what's called "repair install" or
"an in place upgrade" If you are downgrading from XP Pro to XP Home then you
have no choice but to backup your data and start again with a clean install.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341
 
I don't want to repair anything. All is working great except I can't get
"Defender" or any more updates. I have XP Pro ( illegal copy) installed on
this machine so went & bought my own copy of XP Pro & wondered if I can just
put it on top of the illegal one? Would be so much easier if I could just
put in my legal number :-)

Since I don't know a heck of a lot about the "workings", maybe I better get
an expert. Do ya think? ha ha
 
seaweed1317 said:
I don't want to repair anything. All is working great except I can't get
"Defender" or any more updates. I have XP Pro ( illegal copy) installed on
this machine so went & bought my own copy of XP Pro & wondered if I can just
put it on top of the illegal one? Would be so much easier if I could just
put in my legal number :-)

Since I don't know a heck of a lot about the "workings", maybe I better get
an expert. Do ya think? ha ha
Click to expand...

The way you do it is to do a repair install, or in place upgrade, as
Carey indicated, with the new copy. It will prompt you for the new key
during the process. See the link he gave you:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
 
Hi Sandy,

If you have bought the exact version that is installed onto your computer
you can use winkeyfinder to replace your key and your version will have the
proper key. You can get this program at...
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Decrypting-Decoding/WinKeyFinder.shtml
( there are 4 versions of xp home and xp pro that I know about, they are OEM,
Retail, and Upgrade and actually another that you won't be able to buy...)
If you don't have the same exact version then you need to do the repair
install of xp.

Good Luck

Joe

Kemco IT Professional
 
seaweed1317 said:
I found out after Microsoft threw in a "validation" update a couple weeks
ago, that I had an "illegal" copy of XP Pro. Rather than get anybody into
trouble, I went & bought my own "legal" copy. I am not "computer smart",
like you guys, so was wondering if I can put one on top of the other. I
don't want to reformat & lose not only my wireless settings but the shared
folder I paid $$$ to have set up. Any advice is appreciated.
......Sandy
Click to expand...


If you are trying to install a WinXP Service Pack and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326904

You need to purchase and a _legitimate_ retail or OEM full license
of WinXP Pro to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation,
using the new CDs and Product Keys.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341


--

Bruce Chambers

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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
 
seaweed1317 said:
I found out after Microsoft threw in a "validation" update a couple weeks
ago, that I had an "illegal" copy of XP Pro. Rather than get anybody into
trouble, I went & bought my own "legal" copy. I am not "computer smart",
Click to expand...

Zero fill the hard drive. Install a legit copy of XP. Done.
 
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