XP-Pro reusable?

[Michael]

Hi, I actually have a couple questions. #1) Has XP-Pro
been updated at all since 2002? I bought the XP-Pro 2002
edition in 2002 and just today bought another XP-Pro, but
did not realize until later that it too was a 2002
edition. Are these really the same, has there not been
some kind of upgrade?

#2) The original XP-Pro 2002 edition that I purchased for
my computer in 2002 seemed a bit like overkill for my home
system so I removed it and replaced it with XP-Home
edition. Now I have the old XP-Pro edition I bought in
2002 and the new one that I purchased today. My
understanding is that these operating systems can be used
in only one computer or only one time so my question is:
Since I took my original XP-Pro off my computer and
replaced it with the Home edition does that mean I can now
reuse my old XP-Pro version on another computer or will it
recognize that is was already installed once in the past
and not work or not allow me to register it? If the old
one I bought in 2002 can be reused and is the same as the
one I bought today I could return the new one for a
refund. Thank you.

Michael

 

[Troy Simpson]

Changes to XP are simply freely downloadable patches, such as service pack 1
and subsequent security patches, bug patches and addons (all available
through Windows Update). You can re-use your original XP-Pro license
providing it is only installed once. So, yes, you can remove it and put it
on a different computer, or put it back on the same computer after removal.
I did read somewhere that if there is an issue with activating XP after
reinstall you can (or need to?) contact Microsoft support to allow the new
installation, but that's only if there's an issue preventing you from
(re-)activation.

So, you don't need the new home edition to replace the old Pro edition, you
would only need the home edition package if you wanted to install onto
another PC. My advice is to get it all working with the old Pro version and
then return the home edition package if you don't have another PC you need
to install to.


regards,

Troy

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hi, I actually have a couple questions. #1) Has XP-Pro
been updated at all since 2002? I bought the XP-Pro 2002
edition in 2002 and just today bought another XP-Pro, but
did not realize until later that it too was a 2002
edition. Are these really the same, has there not been
some kind of upgrade?

All copies of XP from the first in 2001 to now are described as Version
2002 - it is pure marketing. XP has had Service Pack 1, in September
2002, which should be included on one you buy now: the actual CD will
refer to Service Pack 1. Service Pack 2 (which will include SP1 in it)
is expected in a month or so.

#2) The original XP-Pro 2002 edition that I purchased for
my computer in 2002 seemed a bit like overkill for my home
system so I removed it and replaced it with XP-Home
edition. Now I have the old XP-Pro edition I bought in
2002 and the new one that I purchased today. My
understanding is that these operating systems can be used
in only one computer or only one time so my question is:
Since I took my original XP-Pro off my computer and
replaced it with the Home edition does that mean I can now
reuse my old XP-Pro version on another computer

Provided it was a regular retail one (not one of the OEM ones marked
'for supply only with a new computer' and sold with hardware) you can
transfer it. Go ahead and install; When it comes to activation, if it
is more than 120 days since you last did it, you will find it will go
through on the net just like first time. If not, you will have to
phone a toll-free number that will be given, to explain and swap one
long number for another to check back as you type it in