Upgrade WinXp Home OEM Ver to Retail ver?

[Guest]

I need help to accomplish the following two objectives:

1. Upgrade WinXP Home OEM version to Retail WinXP Home Upgrade version (CD).
I have a full Retail version of Win98 on CD. Can this be done while keeping
existing files intact? If so, What is the procedure?

2. I want to also add a new 120GB HD for backup in the same box, and would
like option to boot from either drive. What is the procedure, and should the
jumpers be set to the "cable select" setting on both drives?

Note: I'm presently using one 40GB HD.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I need help to accomplish the following two objectives:

1. Upgrade WinXP Home OEM version to Retail WinXP Home Upgrade
version (CD). I have a full Retail version of Win98 on CD. Can this
be done while keeping existing files intact? If so, What is the
procedure?

2. I want to also add a new 120GB HD for backup in the same box,
and would like option to boot from either drive. What is the
procedure, and should the jumpers be set to the "cable select"
setting on both drives?

Note: I'm presently using one 40GB HD.

Any help will be appreciated.

1) Why? It's not really an upgrade - you gain little in such a procedure.
You could likely just use the Product Key changer to do this for you with no
re-install. If you want to wipe *everything* and start over, just boot with
the Windows XP CD, start installaing - delete the partition(s) and when it
asks for a qualifying product - insert the Windows 98 CD you say you have.

2) Making each one bootable would entail installing the OS on one - with the
other disconnected... And then installing the OS on the other with the
original one disconnected. And then you would likely have to be able to
choose which is primary in order to know which to boot from.

 

[Guest]

1) Why? It's not really an upgrade - you gain little in such a procedure.
You could likely just use the Product Key changer to do this for you with no
re-install. If you want to wipe *everything* and start over, just boot with
the Windows XP CD, start installaing - delete the partition(s) and when it
asks for a qualifying product - insert the Windows 98 CD you say you have.

2) Making each one bootable would entail installing the OS on one - with the
other disconnected... And then installing the OS on the other with the
original one disconnected. And then you would likely have to be able to
choose which is primary in order to know which to boot from.

This procedure will give me more control over software repairs without
paying the OEM (Compaq/HP) incident fees. Plus, future upgrades will be
easier. Bottomline: I like Retail versions over OEM. Also as stated, I'm
trying to accomplish this while keeping files intact. I already know that I
can reformat the HD and wipe out all my files...

 

[Mistoffolees]

:




This procedure will give me more control over software repairs without
paying the OEM (Compaq/HP) incident fees. Plus, future upgrades will be
easier. Bottomline: I like Retail versions over OEM. Also as stated, I'm
trying to accomplish this while keeping files intact. I already know that I
can reformat the HD and wipe out all my files...

What do you really mean? Are you planning to upgrade Windows XP to
Windows Vista? But this is determined by the Vista version. Do you
mean the next service pack, if any, for Windows XP? It should be
compatible in any event. So, what are the incident fees from the
OEM and for what? IOW, it might be worthwhile to do an assessment
of the situation before acquiring a product (Windows XP retail) that
might not be needed.

 

[Guest]

What do you really mean? Are you planning to upgrade Windows XP to
Windows Vista? But this is determined by the Vista version. Do you
mean the next service pack, if any, for Windows XP? It should be
compatible in any event. So, what are the incident fees from the
OEM and for what? IOW, it might be worthwhile to do an assessment
of the situation before acquiring a product (Windows XP retail) that
might not be needed.

As I stated in my original post, I already own copies of the software. No
new purchases are needed. I only want to know how to proceed, that's it. I
don't like OEM software, OK...

 

[DL]

According to MS EULA installing two o/s on a PC requires two licences, and
practically, since you mentioned backup, you would have to install all apps
on the second instance also.
Perhaps look at an Imaging app?, eg Acronis True Image

 

[Guest]

I need help to accomplish the following two objectives:

1. Upgrade WinXP Home OEM version to Retail WinXP Home Upgrade version (CD).
I have a full Retail version of Win98 on CD. Can this be done while keeping
existing files intact? If so, What is the procedure?

2. I want to also add a new 120GB HD for backup in the same box, and would
like option to boot from either drive. What is the procedure, and should the
jumpers be set to the "cable select" setting on both drives?

Note: I'm presently using one 40GB HD.

Any help will be appreciated.

Ok, I will install the old HD as the Master drive and the new HD as the
Slave drive. And boot from the old HD. Now, what will be best way to Upgrade
or convert from WinXP Home OEM ver to WinXP Home Retail ver? Remember, I
have CDs of both Win98 (Full Retail ver) and WinXp Home (Retail Upgrade ver).

 

[Shenan Stanley]

This procedure will give me more control over software repairs
without paying the OEM (Compaq/HP) incident fees. Plus, future
upgrades will be easier. Bottomline: I like Retail versions over
OEM. Also as stated, I'm trying to accomplish this while keeping
files intact. I already know that I can reformat the HD and wipe
out all my files...

I never told you to wipe your hard disk drive. I said *if* you wanted to...

Fine... Take my advice and use the product key changer from Microsoft to
change your OEM to the retail upgrade one. Never tested that it would work
like that - but you have a situation that is prime for it... Thus why I
suggested it.

Google...

 

[GHalleck]

I never told you to wipe your hard disk drive. I said *if* you wanted to...

Fine... Take my advice and use the product key changer from Microsoft to
change your OEM to the retail upgrade one. Never tested that it would work
like that - but you have a situation that is prime for it... Thus why I
suggested it.

Google...

Rainman is obviously someone with plenty of time on his hands and/or
with money to burn. Since he is so prejudiced against the OEM version
of Windows XP, he should have gone the route of having a custom-built
or home-built computer using the retail version of Windows XP in the
first place. IMO, by the time the objective would have been achieved,
Rainman would probably end up doing a clean install using the retail
version of XP, after trying all of the other "tricks".