Using WinXP Pro CD

[janastarr]

I put in and got a WinXP Pro CD from Microsoft after sp3 was released as my
desktop has WinXP Pro installed. I'm now thinking about using that CD (sp3)
to update W2K on my laptop mainly because I want the NTFS file system and IE7
capability. I'm assuming that I will need to format my laptop to do this?
Just want to confirm before I go through the steps on my laptop...clean disk,
check updates, virus check, backup, etc.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I put in and got a WinXP Pro CD from Microsoft after sp3 was
released as my desktop has WinXP Pro installed. I'm now thinking
about using that CD (sp3) to update W2K on my laptop mainly because
I want the NTFS file system and IE7 capability. I'm assuming that
I will need to format my laptop to do this? Just want to confirm
before I go through the steps on my laptop...clean disk, check
updates, virus check, backup, etc.

Windows 2000 can use NTFS.
You can upgrade Windows 2000 to Windows XP Professional without a clean
installation.

However - if your Desktop is using that license of Windows XP Professional
right now and/or that copy is an OEM copy (as opposed to a retail
copy/license) - it is non-transferrable.

 

[David B.]

A second CD does not grant you a second installation, you need a second
license to install on another computer.

 

[janastarr]

Shenan and David-

Thanks for the quick replies and the good point about the nontransferable
license. This laptop is used mainly as backup for when the more expensive
desktop goes haywire and does have a licensed W2K. I will see if I can do an
upgrade as opposed to a clean install with an upgrade CD.