XP Home (Dell installed) upgradeable to XP Pro?

[PaulE]

I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home (Dell)
computer.

a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM versions, or
only over original MS versions?

b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell system is
screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect the underlying XP
Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP Home "reinstallation" CD
in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for proof of ownership?

I hope that is not confusing... TIA for any tips.

 

[Anthony]

I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home (Dell)
computer.

a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM versions, or
only over original MS versions?

b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell system is
screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect the underlying XP
Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP Home "reinstallation" CD
in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for proof of ownership?

I hope that is not confusing... TIA for any tips.

i do not beleave you can upgrade OEM versions.
you will need to buy the full version

 

[Steve N.]

I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home (Dell)
computer.

a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM versions,
Yes.

or
only over original MS versions?
No.


b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell system is
screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect the underlying XP
Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP Home "reinstallation" CD
in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for proof of ownership?

Not sure. Depends on the Dell OEM CD. If it's a re-imaging (AKA Quick
Restore CD) it may not work.

I hope that is not confusing... TIA for any tips.

I suggest you fix whatever problems the current installation has, backup
you data files first, then attempt the upgrade once the current OS is
problem free. If you tell us details about the problems your current OS
intall has then we may be able to help you correct them. If you are
thinking that the upgrade will fix the problems you are currently facing
that is not likely to work out well.

Steve N.

 

[Rock]

I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home (Dell)
computer.

a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM versions, or
only over original MS versions?

b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell system is
screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect the underlying XP
Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP Home "reinstallation" CD
in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for proof of ownership?

I hope that is not confusing... TIA for any tips.

The upgrade version can upgrade retail or OEM installations. It can
also do a clean install but asks for the disk for qualifying media
during the install process. Whether it will accept the "reinstallation
CD" you have depends on what you have.

Why do you want to upgrade to Pro. Home and Pro are identical in most
respects. Pro can do a few things Home can't such as join a domain,
only 10 simultaneous connections instead of 5, and a few other things.
But for most purposes Home is fine and will same you some bucks.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home
(Dell) computer.

Why? Are you aware that XP Home and Professional are identical except that
Professional includes a few features (mostly related to security and
networking) missing from Home? Most home users (even those with home
networks) don't need and would never use these extra features and will see
no benefits by upgrading.
For details go to


http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp


http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp


http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp


Also note that Professional allows ten concurrent network
connections, and Home only five.

a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM
versions,

Yes.


or only over original MS versions?

b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell
system is screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect the
underlying XP Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP Home
"reinstallation" CD in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for
proof of ownership?

The upgrade from Home to Professional is the easiest and most likely
successful of all possible upgrades. However the one time it (or anyother
upgrade) is most likely to cause a problem, is when you are currently
experiencing problems. Don't try to use an upgrade as a tool for fixing
problems. It's much more likely to make the problems worse.

 

[Mungo Bulge]

yes Ken, but XP Pro, a business product will be mainline supported
after 31 Dec 06, whereas XP Home, a consumer product is not presently
on the same road map.

| PaulE wrote:
|
| > I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home
| > (Dell) computer.
|
|
| Why? Are you aware that XP Home and Professional are identical
except that
| Professional includes a few features (mostly related to security and
| networking) missing from Home? Most home users (even those with home
| networks) don't need and would never use these extra features and
will see
| no benefits by upgrading.
| For details go to
|
|
| http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp
|
|
| http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp
|
|
| http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp
|
|
| Also note that Professional allows ten concurrent network
| connections, and Home only five.
|
|
|
| > a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM
| > versions,
|
|
| Yes.
|
|
| > or only over original MS versions?
|
| > b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell
| > system is screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect
the
| > underlying XP Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP
Home
| > "reinstallation" CD in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for
| > proof of ownership?
|
|
| The upgrade from Home to Professional is the easiest and most likely
| successful of all possible upgrades. However the one time it (or
anyother
| upgrade) is most likely to cause a problem, is when you are
currently
| experiencing problems. Don't try to use an upgrade as a tool for
fixing
| problems. It's much more likely to make the problems worse.
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|

 

[Saucy Lemon]

I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home
(Dell) computer.

a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM
versions, or only over original MS versions?

b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell
system is screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect the
underlying XP Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP Home
"reinstallation" CD in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for
proof of ownership?
I hope that is not confusing... TIA for any tips.

a)
Yes you can upgrade. Heck, you can do a clean install using the Pro upgrade
CD-ROM if you want. Read up though on the process beforehand. There's a
whole host of how-to websites describing how to install Windows XP.

b)
1. It is better to fix the system as-is BEFORE upgrading, as an "upgrade
install" in not necessarily a cure-all. Even if you choose the "upgrade
install", take all the precautions and backup your data.

2. A "clean install", though, is a sort of 'cure-all' but you have to
reinstall all your 3rd party programs etc. etc. and fill in all your
settings etc. etc. Back up your data [documents, pictures, email -- the
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard makes this easier]

3. I don't know what the DELL 'reinstallation' CD-ROM will do. Some of them
are not natural. Often they will completely wipe everything no questions
asked and return as system as when you first bought it. All your documents,
pictures, music, etc. gone. Ask the manufacturer.

4. Sure you can use your Windows XP Pro upgrade CD-ROM to do a "clean
install" .. you will need verification media. Borrow a Win98 or even Win95
CD-ROM - they will do the trick if your DELL "reinstallation" CD isn't
accepted. Don't act a dim-wit fuss budget who thinks you are "stealing" for
to borrow one, ask someone a little more savvy.

CAUTION: Back up your important data. Either to another computer on your
local [home or business] network or onto removable media or onto a second
harddrive [leave it alone during the installation - don't partition or
reformat the second drive or you loose everything]. Read up online about the
upgrade and installation process.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home (Dell)
computer.

a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM versions,

Yes, certainly.

or
only over original MS versions?

No, there's no such limitation.

b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell system is
screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect the underlying XP
Home.

Upgrading over a problematic OS is not always a good idea. Sometimes,
particularly in a case where the two operating systems are so very
similar, the problems can be carried forward. However, as WinXP is
designed to be able to perform repair installations, it may well be
worth your time to try the upgrade first.

In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP Home "reinstallation" CD
in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for proof of ownership?

Yes, it's quite possible to perform a clean installation using the
Upgrade CD, provided you have the true installation CD for the earlier OS.

Simply boot from the WinXP Upgrade CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. The Upgrade CD checks to see if a qualifying OS
is installed, and, if it finds none, it asks you to insert the
installation media (CD) of that OS. Unfortunately, an OEM
"Recovery/Restore" CD will not work for this purpose; you must have a
true installation CD, complete with the "\Win98" folder and *.cab
files, or the "\i386" folder of WinNT/2K.


--

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

i do not beleave you can upgrade OEM versions.
you will need to buy the full version

That's not correct. While it's not possible top perform an upgrade
using an OEM CD, there is absolutely no reason why an OEM installation
cannot be used as a qualifier for an upgrade.


--

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

 

[Rock]

yes Ken, but XP Pro, a business product will be mainline supported
after 31 Dec 06, whereas XP Home, a consumer product is not presently
on the same road map.

| PaulE wrote:
|
| > I am thinking of buying "XP Pro Upgrade" to install on my XP Home
| > (Dell) computer.
|
|
| Why? Are you aware that XP Home and Professional are identical
except that
| Professional includes a few features (mostly related to security and
| networking) missing from Home? Most home users (even those with home
| networks) don't need and would never use these extra features and
will see
| no benefits by upgrading.
| For details go to
|
|
| http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp
|
|
| http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp
|
|
| http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp
|
|
| Also note that Professional allows ten concurrent network
| connections, and Home only five.
|
|
|
| > a) Does the XP Pro Upgrade version install over XP Home OEM
| > versions,
|
|
| Yes.
|
|
| > or only over original MS versions?
|
| > b) If it is possible to do that: the system registry of my Dell
| > system is screwed up right now so XP might not be able to detect
the
| > underlying XP Home. In that case, can I just insert my Dell XP
Home
| > "reinstallation" CD in the CD drive when XP Pro Upgrade asks for
| > proof of ownership?
|
|
| The upgrade from Home to Professional is the easiest and most likely
| successful of all possible upgrades. However the one time it (or
anyother
| upgrade) is most likely to cause a problem, is when you are
currently
| experiencing problems. Don't try to use an upgrade as a tool for
fixing
| problems. It's much more likely to make the problems worse.
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|

Haven't you seen the other threads in here about this issue recently?
An SP3 is scheduled for later this year which will result in extending
support for another year after that. Also since XP Pro and Home are
identical in most respects patches for XP Pro will work on XP Home.

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

Rock:
According to MS:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/servicepacks.mspx
SP3 is targeted for 2H 2007.

Tom

 

[Rock]

Rock:
According to MS:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/servicepacks.mspx
SP3 is targeted for 2H 2007.

Yes I just saw that, which would extend the support even longer.

 

[Anthony]

That's not correct. While it's not possible top perform an upgrade
using an OEM CD, there is absolutely no reason why an OEM installation
cannot be used as a qualifier for an upgrade.

thanks for letting me know that. i was unsure having never done it
before. but i though it was not possable. sorry people if you read my
mistake but i take back what i said it was only what i thought.

 

[Guest]

I Just purchased a new Dell XPS 400 with the xp pro installed by (Dell) only
after
30 min of setting up my new system it crashed ,have tryed everything I know
to restore system, and everything (Dell) says but no luck The Xp will only
opperate
in safe mode. It seems to be missing \Windows\System32\config\System
Dell does not include a orignal Xp disk with this system and says I need to
purchase
this separtly How lame is this . any ideas?

 

[MAP]

Why? Are you aware that XP Home and Professional are identical except
that Professional includes a few features (mostly related to security
and networking) missing from Home? Most home users (even those with
home networks) don't need and would never use these extra features
and will see no benefits by upgrading.
For details go to


http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp


http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp


http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp


Also note that Professional allows ten concurrent network
connections, and Home only five.






The upgrade from Home to Professional is the easiest and most likely
successful of all possible upgrades. However the one time it (or
anyother upgrade) is most likely to cause a problem, is when you are
currently experiencing problems. Don't try to use an upgrade as a
tool for fixing problems. It's much more likely to make the problems
worse.

Hi Ken,
According to the "Langa list" Newsletter Home is going to be unsupported at
the end of this year? Any truth in this?

As we've discussed in the past, Microsoft's "Product LifeCycle" sets a
series of end dates for each product; support is gradually withdrawn,
stepwise, until the product reaches "end of life," when all support is
terminated.

And, as we've discussed in the past, XP Home is scheduled to become
unsupported at the end of this year: on Dec 31 2006.

 

[MAP]

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
Hi again, ignore my last post it was answered father down the tread.

 

[Rock]

I Just purchased a new Dell XPS 400 with the xp pro installed by (Dell) only
after
30 min of setting up my new system it crashed ,have tryed everything I know
to restore system, and everything (Dell) says but no luck The Xp will only
opperate
in safe mode. It seems to be missing \Windows\System32\config\System
Dell does not include a orignal Xp disk with this system and says I need to
purchase
this separtly How lame is this . any ideas?

Do a system recovery using whatever method Dell provided, such as a
recovery partition on the hard drive, or send it back to them.

 

[Guest]

Tried roxio go back & Dell restore and I tried to return to Dell but they
want me to purchase a seperate software warranty for $100 and pay for
shipping. Dell
said the installed XP pro problem is with Microsoft and compability problems
with Norton and my HP printer software. they only will accept a return for
hard ware.

 

[Rock]

Tried roxio go back & Dell restore and I tried to return to Dell but they
want me to purchase a seperate software warranty for $100 and pay for
shipping. Dell
said the installed XP pro problem is with Microsoft and compability problems
with Norton and my HP printer software. they only will accept a return for
hard ware.

:

That's terrible. Can't you do a restore to specs as received from the
factory?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I Just purchased a new Dell XPS 400 with the xp pro installed by (Dell) only
after
30 min of setting up my new system it crashed ,have tryed everything I know
to restore system, and everything (Dell) says but no luck The Xp will only
opperate
in safe mode. It seems to be missing \Windows\System32\config\System
Dell does not include a orignal Xp disk with this system and says I need to
purchase
this separtly How lame is this . any ideas?

Contact Dell for warranty support. Or, as it only worked for 30
minutes, take it back to the store and get a replacement.


--

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