Volume Licensing

[Shane]

I have a volume license copy of xp pro on my machine. I
want to convert it to a retail copy using a retail key I
have. Is there anyway of doing this without having to
install my retail xp C.D. I tried doing this with some
directions I found on the MS support site but I keep
running into some script errors. The KB # is 328874
Please... Any help would be great, I really don't want to
have the reinstall my XP Pro
Thanks
Shane

 

[Darrell Gorter[MSFT]]

Hello Shane,
Short answer is no, you have to reinstall the retail copy. You can run
Winnt32 and do an upgrade so most of the settings are retained, but you
will have to run setup.
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
--------------------

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a volume license copy of xp pro on my machine. I
want to convert it to a retail copy using a retail key I
have. Is there anyway of doing this without having to
install my retail xp C.D. I tried doing this with some
directions I found on the MS support site but I keep
running into some script errors. The KB # is 328874
Please... Any help would be great, I really don't want to
have the reinstall my XP Pro
Thanks
Shane

That KB Article's instructions will work only if you are changing
one VL Key for another VL Key. Product Keys are bound to the specific
type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or
Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM
Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for
any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key
cannot be used with a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product
Key will not work to install a retail product. An Italian Product Key
will not work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CDs
cannot be mixed & matched.

You need to full retail copy of WinXP Pro to perform a repair
(a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the new CD and Product
Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

Thanks to both of you. I figured I would have to install
with the new CD but I wanted to be sure. Thanks alot guys.
Shane

 

[Michael Stevens]

I have a volume license copy of xp pro on my machine. I
want to convert it to a retail copy using a retail key I
have. Is there anyway of doing this without having to
install my retail xp C.D. I tried doing this with some
directions I found on the MS support site but I keep
running into some script errors. The KB # is 328874
Please... Any help would be great, I really don't want to
have the reinstall my XP Pro
Thanks
Shane

This sometimes works.

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Change Product key.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#need2
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Barry Watzman]

the repair install should leave all of your settings and installed
software intact.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a volume license copy of xp pro on my machine. I
want to convert it to a retail copy using a retail key I
have. Is there anyway of doing this without having to
install my retail xp C.D.

If you do a 'repair' reinstall, using your retail CD and Key, that
should do it. It will also take updates back to square one, so I would
get a SP2 CD to run immediately after. Set the BIOS to boot CD before
Hard disk, then boot the XP CD, start Setup (do not take 'Repair' at
this stage), then after the license agreement take 'Repair
Installation'. This will retain your existing software installations
and most settings. You will also then need to activate by phoning in

 

[Darrell Gorter[MSFT]]

Hello,
If you can boot into the OS and not having problems getting there, it is
usually better to do an upgrade, particularly if you have slipstreamed
media or a slipstreamed share. Both should work, but there could be
behavior differences after the fact.
When we boot to a cd, we have to be cognizant of the fact that we are
redetecting hardware. Here are examples of changes
1) Upgrade retains the hal that is installed, where as booting from a cd
redetects the hal
2) If you used F6 to install mass storage drivers, an upgrade will retain
the drivers, if you do a repair you will have to re-add them using F6.
3) We renumerate drive so the drive lettering could be changed after the
repair. During an upgrade, we retain the drive lettering.

Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
--------------------

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thanks to both of you. I figured I would have to install
with the new CD but I wanted to be sure. Thanks alot guys.
Shane

You're welcome.

--

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