Re-Installing XP-Pro

[Guest]

I have had XP-Pro native (no service packs) on my system since I bought it.
I needed to do an update on some drivers through Microsoft and learned that
the version that was installed by the dealer (who is no longer in business)
is not valid. I never did get the original disk.

Prior to that, I was able to obtain a copy of XP-Pro with SP2 from Microsoft
a few months ago (with the key) and placed the CD in a safe place in case I
wanted to build a new system.

My question: Can I install the 'legal' verison over the old one to make it
legal and not lose anything?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have had XP-Pro native (no service packs) on my system since I bought it.
I needed to do an update on some drivers through Microsoft and learned that
the version that was installed by the dealer (who is no longer in business)
is not valid. I never did get the original disk.

Prior to that, I was able to obtain a copy of XP-Pro with SP2 from Microsoft
a few months ago (with the key) and placed the CD in a safe place in case I
wanted to build a new system.

My question: Can I install the 'legal' verison over the old one to make it
legal and not lose anything?

I think you can do this:
1. Boot into WinXP.
2. Insert your legal WinXP CD.
3. Run this command: e:\i386\winnt32.exe
(where E: is the CD drive letter)

This will "upgrade" your illegal WinXP installation to the legal one.
It will prompt you for the licence key and it will preserver all your
settings and installations.

A standard precaution is to back up all your data to an independent
medium prior to doing the above.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

This will not work! You can not install XP Pro (legal) as an upgrade (if
the OP did not get a upgrade CD.)

You would need to look for install on how to do a "repair install" on top of
the current illegal version. You may need look on how to "slipstream"
service packs into the install CD.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have had XP-Pro native (no service packs) on my system since I bought it.
I needed to do an update on some drivers through Microsoft and learned that
the version that was installed by the dealer (who is no longer in business)
is not valid. I never did get the original disk.

Prior to that, I was able to obtain a copy of XP-Pro with SP2 from Microsoft
a few months ago (with the key) and placed the CD in a safe place in case I
wanted to build a new system.

My question: Can I install the 'legal' verison over the old one to make it
legal and not lose anything?

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

You should also report whomever sold you this license to your local
law enforcement agencies; you've been defrauded.


--

Bruce Chambers

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