Repair upgrade winxp Home => XP pro

[reader]

My laptop running winxp home sp/2 was powered off abruptly. Since
then it will start but only goes to the screen showing window Pre
startup screen. No way to go any furhter.

I'd like to take this opportunity to upgrade from home to pro as well
as fix whatever is broken.

I'd like to do this `in place' if possible. I do own licensed copies
of xp pro on CD.

I find piles of confusing and contradictory info by googling on
`upgade windows home to windows xp'

Hoping someone can direct me to tried and proven information to
accomplish the goal stated above.

 

[Holz]

I'd like to do this `in place' if possible. I do own licensed copies
of xp pro on CD.

In place is the second repair option when you boot from your cd. It is the
one where the setup tells you it found an os on the drive, repair? and you
say yes.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

You should fix the problem with the current installation first. At least get
it back to booting properly.

Upgrading to a different version on a system that is having major problems
can have unforeseen results. Perform a Repair Install with XP Home first and
this should get you up and running again, then perform the upgrade.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm