Upgrade Laptop To XP Pro?

[Bob Newman]

I have a Compaq R3120US laptop that came with XP Home. I already own the XP
Pro upgrade and would like to install it on the laptop. Compaq says I can't
do it because the drivers they provide are for XP Home only. Sounds like a
bunch of bunk to me. I think they just want me to buy from them. Is their
claim possible?

Thanks in advance... Bob

 

[Gordon]

I have a Compaq R3120US laptop that came with XP Home. I already own the XP
Pro upgrade and would like to install it on the laptop. Compaq says I can't
do it because the drivers they provide are for XP Home only. Sounds like a
bunch of bunk to me. I think they just want me to buy from them. Is their
claim possible?

Thanks in advance... Bob

A load of bunk. Pro and Home are EXACTLY the same, except Pro has some
networking and security functions that Home does not.

 

[Jim Macklin]

You will be creating some warranty issues, since Compaq will
balk at providing support for an OS you installed. Unless
you need the extra features of Pro, stick with Home. An
upgrade should run just fine if it is working OK now.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


| | > I have a Compaq R3120US laptop that came with XP Home.
I already own the
| XP
| > Pro upgrade and would like to install it on the laptop.
Compaq says I
| can't
| > do it because the drivers they provide are for XP Home
only. Sounds like
| a
| > bunch of bunk to me. I think they just want me to buy
from them. Is
| their
| > claim possible?
| >
| > Thanks in advance... Bob
| >
| >
|
| A load of bunk. Pro and Home are EXACTLY the same, except
Pro has some
| networking and security functions that Home does not.
|
|

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a Compaq R3120US laptop that came with XP Home. I already
own
the XP Pro upgrade and would like to install it on the laptop.
Compaq says I can't do it because the drivers they provide are for
XP
Home only. Sounds like a bunch of bunk to me. I think they just
want me to buy from them. Is their claim possible?

Thanks in advance... Bob

Normally, upgrading from WinXP Home to WinXP Pro would be no
problem. WinXP is designed to install and upgrade the existing
operating system while simultaneously preserving your applications and
data, and translating as many personalized settings as possible. The
process is designed to be, and normally is, quite painless. The
upgrade from WinXP Home to WinXP Pro, in particular, almost always
goes smoothly, as both operating systems use the same kernel.

Further, the original WinXP Home and WinXP Pro versions are
_identical_ when it comes to performance, stability, and device driver
and software application compatibility.

However, if a Compaq computer and OEM OS are involved, the issue
becomes much more complicated. Compaq has a long history of using
highly proprietary, non-industry-standard hardware configurations that
often require that they "customize" the OS and drivers to produce a
functioning machine. Naturally, part of the reason Compaq does this
is just as you suspect: So you have to continuing buying upgrades to
your computer from them. This also means that subsequently trying to
use generic retail versions of hardware upgrades, OS upgrades, or
standard device drivers can sometimes result in a non-functional
computer.

It may be that Compaq simply tested your laptop's drivers only
with WinXP Home and just didn't bother testing under WinXP Pro. After
all, the Presario product line is targeted for home consumer use, and
not for the corporate market where WinXP Pro would be required. If
this is, in fact, the case, the upgrade should go smoothly. However,
as has already been pointed out, you'll still come up against the
warranty issue: changing the OS can void your warranty.

In other words, it's a bit of a gamble.

--

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

 

[Bob Newman]

I'm looking to be able to control my home desktop while traveling with my
laptop, I understand you need Pro to do that.

Bob

 

[Bob Newman]

I'm looking to be able to control my home desktop while traveling with my
laptop, I understand you need Pro to do that. I don't think that it's the
Presario line itself because Compaq says if I bought it directly from them
rather than a retail store I could have ordered it with XP.

Bob

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I don't think
that it's the Presario line itself because Compaq says if I bought
it
directly from them rather than a retail store I could have ordered
it
with XP.

Huh? But you already said that you had WinXP???


--

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