XP Home Retail Upgrade transfer and key question

[Allochthonous]

I have two copies of XP Home Upgrade, one with SP2 and one without, installed
on older machines.

I am going to sacrifice one install, which happens to be the SP1 version,
for a dual boot setup on a new laptop. I know that I need to remove the
install from the original machine, but other than that the license should be
transferable without any problems, right? I do have a previous copy of
Windows to use for verification in the install process.

My other question is this: Can I use the XP with SP2 CD with the XP with
SP1 key? I have a standalone SP2 CD, so it's not a huge deal if I can't, but
it sure would be easier if i can install straight to SP2.

Thanks.

PK

 

[Anteaus]

Generally no. An SP1 key will not work with an SP2 CD. Though you can
slipstream, or update to SP2 later

:

 

[Allochthonous]

As you can see in my other thread (accidentally duplicated), I was told by
Microsoft that the SP1 key would work with the SP2 CD.

I am confused as to why some folks here are saying the opposite.

Paul

 

[Shenan Stanley]

My other question is this: Can I use the XP with SP2 CD with the
XP with SP1 key? I have a standalone SP2 CD, so it's not a huge
deal if I can't, but it sure would be easier if i can install
straight to SP2.

Generally no. An SP1 key will not work with an SP2 CD. Though you
can slipstream, or update to SP2 later

As you can see in my other thread (accidentally duplicated), I was
told by Microsoft that the SP1 key would work with the SP2 CD.

I am confused as to why some folks here are saying the opposite.

Actually - without a link to the 'other thread' - one would have to have
seen it or search for it.

Windows XP product keys will work fine with the CD whether it is RTM, SP1,
SP1a, SP2 or SP3 *as long as it is the same version and type.*

There is an exception where "SP2" is concerned - I put it in quotes on
purposes - as there is something out there known as SP2c...

See:
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/07/08/10/microsoft-windows-xp-professional-service-pack-2c-release

So if you have an SP2c product key or SP2c licensed copy - then the rule
fails.

Given your description - it is unlikely you have Windows XP (INSERT VERSION)
SP2c or a product key for that. So as long as you match Home to Home,
Professional to Professional, Media Center to Media Center *AND* OEM to OEM,
Retail to Retail, Upgrade to Upgrade, VLK to VLK... Yu should be able to use
the proper keys with the proper media.

In any case - you can slipstream - with ease - a Windows XP CD with the
latest patches - making it even more useful. nLite and other products take
the actual work and knowledge needed out of this. Nothing says you have to
slipstream though - you can just waste time downloading and/or installing
all of the patches each time. ;-)

 

[Allochthonous]

Here is a link to the other thread, FYI:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&p=1&tid=9d57e5b2-7319-4e87-9b8b-59f138ba4617

Your reply makes sense to me. At first, I was confused by the whole SP2c
thing, but then I remembered that when my cousin bought a copy of XP Pro OEM
a few months ago, it mentioned something about being SP2c and that certain
keys might not work.

I had some spare time today, so I went ahead and tested this. First, I
realized that the SP1 CD appears to be PRE SP1 (Version 2002). When
installed, I saw no indication of SP1. I cleared the HDD and installed again
with the SP2 CD using the other key, and yes, it did install without a hitch.

Note that I did not activate either of these installations.

Thank you for clarifying.

PK