If I were to buy Windows XP Pro academic...

the way it usually works in england is that when you buy an academic product you don't get the product, just a form. You take the form into university and get it stamped and signed by your tutor and then send it microsoft who send you the product so you may be out of luck

If you can get the Win CD (in US, at least)-I think you would be able to use it. Here (US), it generally takes an ID or class schedule to prove you're a student in order to buy it. Once you have the CD/Pkg - it's like any installation. It's an "upgrade edition" - but it's just the full version that ask's you to insert the older OS CD (98, etc) to "prove" that you are "worthy" of upgrading. You don't actually have to install an older version - the upgrade version just "scans" the older CD and spits it back out - and goes ahead with the install. I bought my copy through a Jr College Bookstore, with my "student ID". Don't recall ever having to prove my student status again. An interesting point here: I did call M$ to ask if academic version was "full" - I was told yes, but that the "special" EULA stated that I could only use it while I was a "student". Yea I know what you're thinking - wtf - how will Bill G know when class is over? I think it's an honor system thing - ROFLMFAO. Still working 1 yr later.


But Officer, I wasn't speeding - I was qualifying ...