Install XP-Pro SP2 on top of XP-Pro and keep settings?

[Bo Berglund]

My mother has a Compaq desktop PC that she bought a couple of years
ago at a garage sale. It came with XP-Pro already on (no service
packs).
I helped her to configure the Outlook Express mail client and all was
working Ok in her setup using a dialup modem to send/get email.

Last week she got cable Internet and the PC is now networked 24/7 and
I wanted to help her set up Windows Messenger so that she could chat
with her grandchildren.
But the messenger would not log in (requiring some kind of "passport")
and it failed to install said passport. Next I tried to install a new
MSN Messenger, but thta also failed. It claimed the operating system
was too old. So I decided to try Windows update to get it a bit better
updated.

Big surprise!
After a rather long time of getting extra update software the system
said it could not continue because the license key had been blocked!
Apparently the XP-Pro on that PC was not legitimate, even though I
believe that the Compaq was shipped with Windows installed....

Anyway, now I would like to know if I can install XP-Pro SP2 from a
legitimate CD on top of the existig installation and keep all of the
settings we have set up?

Will there be issues because the underlying XP is unlicensed (I am
bringing in an unused license).
I would not like it to install a different system and lose the
existing installation we have done (even though it is basically just
OE 6 with the mail archive).

 

[peter]

from:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

Method 2: Repair install of Windows XP by starting your computer from the
Windows XP CD
Note If Windows XP was preinstalled on your computer, you may need the
installation CD to reinstall. Contact your computer manufacturer to make
sure that you have the installation CD for a repair installation.

To reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD,
follow these steps: 1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD
drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.
2. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message on the
screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
3. The following message on the Welcome to Setup screen will appear:
This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on
your computer: To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER. To repair a Windows XP
installation by using Recovery Console, press R. To quit Setup without
installing Windows XP, press F3.
4. Press ENTER to set up Windows XP.
5. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the
license agreement.
6. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the
box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
7. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows
XP. After you repair Windows XP, you may have to reactivate your copy of
Windows XP. For more information, click the following article number to view
the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310064 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310064/) How to troubleshoot Windows
XP Setup problems when you upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Millennium
Edition
If you successfully completed the reinstallation, congratulations. You are
almost done. Please continue to the "After you reinstall Windows XP" section
to finish.

A repair Installation keeps all settings but all updates will need to be
reapplied...

peter

 

[TaurArian]

You may be able to use this:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/pkuinstructions.aspx

"Windows Product Key Update Tool Instructions
The steps below will help you use the Windows Product Key Update Tool
to change your product key. Before running the Windows Product Key update
tool, read all instructions to ensure that you understand how the tool works
and what information is sent to Microsoft as a result of the update process.
You may also wish to print this page before starting the update
process............."

NB: I believe you have to activate via telephone.


As always, back up your important data files just in case.

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties or
guarantees and doesn't give any rights.
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