CJ said:
Will it work for me to install XP Pro but use a Home key for the activation?
No, you won't even be able to install the OS, much less activate it.
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.
Will I get problems when I try to install updates?
Yes. You will not be able to perform the installation woithout the
correct Product Key and installation CD combination.
Will the MS Police knock
on my door?
Unlikely; there's no such organization. Have you spoken to a
professional therapist about this apparent paranoia?
I have a legitimate XP Pro OEM that is already installed and a legitimate XP
Home that is not but is already open. I decided that I would like to have the
Pro installed instead but use the Home key.
You're "likes" are irrelevant to the technical issues involved.
Nonetheless, what you want to do is still a violation of the EULA, and
therefore contract law, in many jurisdictions. For instance, that WinXP
Pro OEM license is permanently bound to the computer on which it was
originally installed, and may never be legitimately transferred to a new
computer. If you want to replace WinXP Home with WinXP Pro on the
second computer, you'll need to purchase, at the very least, a
legitimate WinXP Pro Upgrade license. You could purchase either a full
retail license or another OEM full license (with qualifying hardware)
for WinXP Pro, but why spend more that you need?
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
