Making my system legit again

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

Dennis wrote:
> I know I was stupid but what's done is done. My system came with XP Home and I
> needed XP Pro. At that time the XP Pro Upgrade box did not say it would upgrade
> XP Home to XP Pro so I bought XP Pro off Ebay. Now when I try to install SP 2 I
> am told I can not because my Windows is not valid. I have the restore CD's that
> came with my system but if I do that I lose all my applications and data so that
> isn't really an option. Do I have any options to get this fixed short of
> purchasing XP Pro again?
>


Other than reverting to the original WinXP Home, no, you don't.

If you are trying to install a WinXP Service Pack and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/defau [...] us;Q326904

You need to purchase and use a _legitimate_ full copy of WinXP Pro
to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the
new CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/direc [...] US;Q315341

Alternatively, if you have a legitimate license and real
installation CD for a qualifying OS that is not installed on another
computer, you could purchase the desired version of WinXP Upgrade and
perform a clean installation.



--

Bruce Chambers

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