xp pro - upgrade or full

[M Temperton]

Hi folks
I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated (in
fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP Pro
(but thats another story)

What I need some advice on is -
1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
installing / activating Home Ed
2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP Pro
Full version??

4. Any other suggestions welcome

Thanks in Advance

Martin

 

[Eds]

Hi folks
I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated (in
fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP Pro
(but thats another story)

What I need some advice on is -
1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
installing / activating Home Ed
2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP Pro
Full version??

4. Any other suggestions welcome

Thanks in Advance

Martin

Most likley Xp home has already been installed, possibly even activated. I
should contact Dell. If they were meant to provide you with Pro then they
ought to be able to upgrade you cheaply if not free. Why do you need Pro?

Eds

 

[HillBillyBuddhist]

|
| | > Hi folks
| > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated
| (in
| > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP
Pro
| > (but thats another story)
| >
| > What I need some advice on is -
| > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
| > installing / activating Home Ed
| > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
| > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP
| Pro
| > Full version??
| >
| > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
| >
| > Thanks in Advance
| >
| > Martin
| >
| Most likley Xp home has already been installed, possibly even activated. I
| should contact Dell. If they were meant to provide you with Pro then they
| ought to be able to upgrade you cheaply if not free. Why do you need Pro?
|
| Eds
|
|

Yes Dells (I have two, desktop and laptop) come preinstalled and activated.
No user intervention is required.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details.

Remove shoes to E-mail.

 

[Bruce]

My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're system
is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your job that
has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.

Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP doesn't
require activating. The start up routine may be called "activation" but
it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are. If you
really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP Home.
I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this nature is
perfectly fine.

 

[Eds]

My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're system
is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your job that
has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.

Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP doesn't
require activating.

Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version of XP
home, and it did have to be activated.

The start up routine may be called "activation" but

 

[M Temperton]

Well I really need Pro for networking , in particular Remote Desktop and
security. Regarding Dell involvement I ordered Home , so no error on their
part. The machine was ordered for someone else with Home Ed in mind.

 

[Eds]

I would have thought - though this is just a guess - that MS would provide a
Home>Pro upgrade; you might even be able to buy it at PCWorld or somewhere.
As the difference in price is about £80 I think, that's what you might
expect to pay for the upgrade. I see no reason for you to pay more than
that.

This is definitely the way to go given that you already have Home installed
(probably with SP1, so you'll have to make sure the Pro upgrade includes SP1
as well)

Eds

 

[Perdita X. Nitt]

Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version
of XP home, and it did have to be activated.

You're missing the salient word 'preinstalled'. 'Retail' OEMs do require
activation, obviously

 

[Perdita X. Nitt]

I would have thought - though this is just a guess - that MS would
provide a Home>Pro upgrade; you might even be able to buy it at
PCWorld or somewhere. As the difference in price is about £80 I
think, that's what you might expect to pay for the upgrade. I see no
reason for you to pay more than that.

Then you thought wrong. There is no upgrade from Home to Pro, save the
standard Pro upgrade which is about £200. You might see no reason to pay
more than that, but I'm afraid you're 2½ times out.

 

[Martin Temperton]

Thanks everyone - especially Sharon F - I've purchased XP Full Version which
will cover most options.