"upgrading" from xp professional to home edition

[tom_l]

I have a pc that I've found out doesn't have a genuine copy of xp
professional. There are certain things I can't do like download
microsoft virus & spyware protection, play dvds or burn cds. I have
viruses & spyware on my pc and it's quite annoying, so are not being
able to do the other two. I thought about buying a new genuine copy of
xp home edition as I prefer it to professional, but have heard that
it might not work. So it would be great if someone could advise me on
what to do. Also would I have to back up my files or would they still
be on the computer? If not would I just use an ordinary disk to do
this? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Larry Samuels]

You will have to do a clean install of XP home. You will need to back up
your files as the hard drive will be erased.This will be difficult if you
can't burn cds and don't have the pc networked with another computer.
Your best bet may be to take it to a qualified technician that you trust.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a pc that I've found out doesn't have a genuine copy of xp
professional. There are certain things I can't do like download
microsoft virus & spyware protection, play dvds or burn cds. I have
viruses & spyware on my pc and it's quite annoying, so are not being
able to do the other two. I thought about buying a new genuine copy of
xp home edition as I prefer it to professional, but have heard that
it might not work. So it would be great if someone could advise me on
what to do. Also would I have to back up my files or would they still
be on the computer? If not would I just use an ordinary disk to do
this? Any help would be much appreciated.

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 should be able to use the 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

If you want to switch to WinXP Home, the only way is to format the
drive and start over. There is no supported downgrade path or technique.

Simply boot from the WinXP Home installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as
part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the
order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm



--

Bruce Chambers

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