Installing XP Pro

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Guest

A computer friend of mine was helping me out and wiped out my hard drive and
then reinstalled everything - I had a virus. He also decided to help me out
by installing Windows XP on my newly cleaned gard drive. Unforunately it was
a bootleged copy - that worked, but I can't update it anymore because
Microsft ahas realized it is an authentic version. Now I have a real version
of Windows XP Pro, but when I try to install it, it tells me I have a newer
version on my computer and that the only way to install it on my computer is
to delte the current operating system. Is this safe and what do I need to do
tp prepare my computer for this? Also, will I loose anything by doing this?
Or is there an easier way to do this?
 
Just change the CD-Key that ur friend installed their "XP" with with your
legal key. You should then be able to get updates.
You shouldnt have to reinstall XP

Ive been thru this before, so i just put my legal key in, and it was fine.




James Jones
 
Hi,

Your choices are limited. You can slipstream SP2 into your legitimate
version, then do an inplace upgrade (aka: repair install), or you can format
and do a clean installation (where you lose everything and start fresh).
Either way, backup any data that is important to you.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
How do I change the key?

James Jones said:
Just change the CD-Key that ur friend installed their "XP" with with your
legal key. You should then be able to get updates.
You shouldnt have to reinstall XP

Ive been thru this before, so i just put my legal key in, and it was fine.




James Jones
Click to expand...
 
ajs3838 said:
A computer friend of mine was helping me out and wiped out my hard drive and
then reinstalled everything - I had a virus. He also decided to help me out
by installing Windows XP on my newly cleaned gard drive. Unforunately it was
a bootleged copy - that worked, but I can't update it anymore because
Microsft ahas realized it is an authentic version.
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

Now I have a real version
of Windows XP Pro, but when I try to install it, it tells me I have a newer
version on my computer and that the only way to install it on my computer is
to delte the current operating system.
Click to expand...


This means that your installed OS is at a higher service pack level
than is the WinXP Pro CD you're using.

Is this safe and what do I need to do
tp prepare my computer for this?
Click to expand...


Back up any important data, before starting.

Also, will I loose anything by doing this?
Click to expand...


You'd be erasing everything from the hard drive, so you'll lose
anything that you haven't backed up to another disk.

Or is there an easier way to do this?
Click to expand...


You'll either need to uninstall whatever service pack is installed
before attempting the upgrade, or try slipstreaming SP2 into the upgrade.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
James said:
Just change the CD-Key that ur friend installed their "XP" with with your
legal key. You should then be able to get updates.
Click to expand...


That most likely won't work.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any
retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice
versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD,
and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD.
Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

You shouldnt have to reinstall XP

Ive been thru this before, so i just put my legal key in, and it was fine.
Click to expand...

You were lucky in that you had the same edition installed as was on the CD.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
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