Installing Windows XP Professional over XP Professional

[Kim]

I bought a old computer from a friend that has XP
Professional, but no disks are available so I can't
download the service pack to upgrade. Can I install a
new XP professional over the old and will I lose any
data, and also be able to upgrade service pack or any
othe downloads?

 

[Guest]

you should be able to installed the service pack without the XP cd...

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

you should be able to installed the service pack without the XP cd...

You can, unless you happen to have a bootleg product key, which SP1 will
object to. If you get a real version there is a fairly simple way to
change just the product key to the new (legitimate) version -
groups.google.com 'windows XP change product key' should find it fairly
fast. www.google.com also has several dozen hits. Failing that, a repair
install will always work, and no data should be lost (but backup first
anyway)

 

[Sue]

I have a similar problem. I was wondering if you can
install XP Home Edition over XP Professional.

I will install either one if either will work but prefer
the Home version.

Thanks.

 

[CS]

Home can not be installed over Pro. You'll have to completely wipe
Pro off the machine first. But why would you want to? And why do
you prefer Home over Pro?

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a similar problem. I was wondering if you can
install XP Home Edition over XP Professional.

No - you can't overwrite the more extended one with the lesser. For the
same reason you cannot put Home over Win2000 or NT4. You have to
install clean. And if on that upgrade, the Pro Upgrade is about the
same price as the full Home you would have to use