Upgrading Windows XP Home to Pro

[B Farkas]

I currently have a laptop with Windows XP Home SP3 installed. I need to
install a software package that does not support Windows XP Home or Vista. I
need to upgrade to Windows XP Pro but not sure what to buy. I tried a copy of
XP Pro version 2002 but got an error message that stated the version on the
computer was newer than on the CD and that I should restart the computer and
install as a new installation. I would prefer not to format the hard drive as
I have a large number of software packages (programming type & AutoCad) and
files on the system that I cannot afford to lose.
In my computer under the Help Tab/About Windows, I have version 5.1 (Build
2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236 : Service Pack 3)

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I currently have a laptop with Windows XP Home SP3 installed. I need to
install a software package that does not support Windows XP Home or Vista.

What is this software? There may be a workaround.

I
need to upgrade to Windows XP Pro but not sure what to buy. I tried a copy
of
XP Pro version 2002 but got an error message that stated the version on
the
computer was newer than on the CD and that I should restart the computer
and
install as a new installation.

Sounds like an OEM CD.

I would prefer not to format the hard drive as
I have a large number of software packages (programming type & AutoCad)
and
files on the system that I cannot afford to lose.

No need to do that if you use the correct CD.

In my computer under the Help Tab/About Windows, I have version 5.1 (Build
2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236 : Service Pack 3)

You want an Upgrade or a Retail version of XP Pro. Both of those versions
will allow the upgrade install you want. The Upgrade edition will be much
cheaper, but in the case of a clean install, you'll need to have your old XP
Home install CD (or a WinME CD etc) at hand.

No OEM CD will allow upgrade installs - these are the ones that have a
maker's name on them or say "for installation on a new computer".

When you get it, look at the service pack level on the CD; it will be
marked. If it's not SP3, you should make a slipstreamed copy of the CD
with SP3. Download the entire SP3 network install, get something like
Autostreamer, and you'll have an XP Pro SP3 install CD in short order.
Google "slipstream XP SP3" for more details.

Finally, while this is the easiest and most reliable upgrade, as very little
is actualy changed, you should back up your system first.

HTH
-pk

 

[smlunatick]

I currently have a laptop with Windows XP Home SP3 installed. I need to
install a software package that does not support Windows XP Home or Vista.. I
need to upgrade to Windows XP Pro but not sure what to buy. I tried a copy of
XP Pro version 2002 but got an error message that stated the version on the
computer was newer than on the CD and that I should restart the computer and
install as a new installation. I would prefer not to format the hard drive as
I have a large number of software packages (programming type & AutoCad) and
files on the system that I cannot afford to lose.
In my computer under the Help Tab/About Windows, I have version 5.1 (Build
2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236 : Service Pack 3)

You need the retail XP Pro Upgrade kit that should include SP3. If
you can not find one, you can always use an XP Pro Upgrade CD with
either SP1 or SP2 on it. With this, you are permitted to "slipstream"
SP3 onto this CD and create a new install CD with the SP3 installed.