XP home compatability with XP pro disk

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Guest

My son's XP (home) laptop is having major problems. We want to start fresh
with a new install.

He no longer has the re-install/restore CD which came with his PC.

I have a copy of Windows XP professional. Is there any way to use my disks
with his COA to re-install windows on his PC?

My disk is an original XP Professional (before SP1). I also have a copy of
SP2 on CD.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Carlos
 
macs312 said:
My son's XP (home) laptop is having major problems. We want to start fresh
with a new install.

He no longer has the re-install/restore CD which came with his PC.

I have a copy of Windows XP professional. Is there any way to use my disks
with his COA to re-install windows on his PC?

My disk is an original XP Professional (before SP1). I also have a copy of
SP2 on CD.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Carlos
Click to expand...

The short answer is No. However you might be able to do a System File Check
with it...
 
macs312 said:
My son's XP (home) laptop is having major problems. We want to start
fresh
with a new install.

He no longer has the re-install/restore CD which came with his PC.

I have a copy of Windows XP professional. Is there any way to use my disks
with his COA to re-install windows on his PC?

My disk is an original XP Professional (before SP1). I also have a copy
of
SP2 on CD.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

No. Product keys are matched to the version of XP. The product key on the
sticker attached to his laptop should work with a generic OEM XP CD.
Otherwise contact the computer's tech support for info on how to reinstall
the OS. Some come with a hidden partition on the hard drive for this
purpose, or order a replacement CD from them.
 
Thank you for your response. I didn't think of using my disk to try to
repair with file check. I only thought of re-install.

I thought (& was afraid) that it wasn't possible to re-install. I was
hoping that there was some registry setting &/or little known process for
making this work.

If anyone knows of a miracle fix, please let me know.

Thanks,
Carlos
 
macs312 said:
Thank you for your response. I didn't think of using my disk to try to
repair with file check. I only thought of re-install.

I thought (& was afraid) that it wasn't possible to re-install. I was
hoping that there was some registry setting &/or little known process for
making this work.

If anyone knows of a miracle fix, please let me know.
Click to expand...


Miracle fix for what? You haven't said what the problems are. There is no
fix for using your XP installation CD to reinstall with his product key. I
gave you the options for that.
 
Rock said:
No. Product keys are matched to the version of XP. The product key on the
sticker attached to his laptop should work with a generic OEM XP CD.
Otherwise contact the computer's tech support for info on how to reinstall
the OS. Some come with a hidden partition on the hard drive for this
purpose, or order a replacement CD from them.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the ideas. Unfortunately, we've already thought of them.

My siblings & I have XP pro. My father has XP media center. I've tried to
borrow a copy of XP home from various friends over the last few days, but no
luck so far.

His PC is out of warranty. The PC company wants to charge $50+ for the disk.

(Personal rant: The XP license was paid for when the PC was purchased.
Supposedly, the license is the expensive part of software. The actual disk
doesn't cost much to produce. Charging $50+ is ridiculous. Don't companies
remember that customer service inspires brand loyalty. )

He re-installed the OS with a CD a couple of years ago, so it is doubtful
that his laptop has a restore partition. (lost CDs and a 20 year old who
didn't want parents to store his software is a topic for a different board
;-) )

-Carlos
 
macs312 said:
Thanks for the ideas. Unfortunately, we've already thought of them.

My siblings & I have XP pro. My father has XP media center. I've tried
to
borrow a copy of XP home from various friends over the last few days, but
no
luck so far.

His PC is out of warranty. The PC company wants to charge $50+ for the
disk.

(Personal rant: The XP license was paid for when the PC was purchased.
Supposedly, the license is the expensive part of software. The actual
disk
doesn't cost much to produce. Charging $50+ is ridiculous. Don't
companies
remember that customer service inspires brand loyalty. )

He re-installed the OS with a CD a couple of years ago, so it is doubtful
that his laptop has a restore partition. (lost CDs and a 20 year old who
didn't want parents to store his software is a topic for a different board
Click to expand...


There are only four options.

1. Buy a replacement from the computer OEM (you really don't think they
should be responsible when the user had a disk and lost it? A copy could
have been made, too. Plus the system is out of warranty.).

2. Borrow a generic OEM CD of the same version as he has installed (Home or
Pro) and use it or make a copy of it and use that. A retail CD won't work
with the product key that's on the sticker attached to the case.

3. Buy a generic OEM copy from your favorite discount software retailer
(Maybe said son should pay for it since it's his responsibility? Applies to
all the buy options.)

4. Buy a CD on ebay.

Good luck Carlos.
 
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