Install new XP Pro retail over poss. invalid XP Pro

Hullo all.

We have a friend who has XP Pro with SP2 installed (may not be valid as had problems getting validation) who has now purchased a brand new sealed retail XP Pro with SP2 included and wants to install this.

Can and how is it best to do this without losing the original 200GB hard disk's programs and data?

I found similar old relative posts, and searched Microsoft, without finding a clear solution.

Can anyone with up-to-date knowledge on this help please?

Gerry.

 

Hi gerry2rs,

Microsoft has a page http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/do...en&sGuid=b54d3949-3494-4344-986c-e047c2cb0b1b just for this.

I am reproducing the relevant Q & A for you [this is in regard to electronic license. I don't have any idea if it would work in your situation or not]:

Q: I purchased an electronic license and received the product key in email; what do I do?
A:

To convert your counterfeit Windows XP software to a genuine copy of Windows XP using the new product key, you will need to download and run the Windows Product Key Update Tool on the same computer you used to purchase the electronic license for Windows XP. Visit http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668 to download the Windows Product Key Update Tool. The Windows Product Key Update tool will guide you through the conversion process and convert your counterfeit Windows XP to a genuine copy of Windows XP.


If that doesn't work out, reinstalling Windows is the only option.

 

If that version of XP is a counterfeit version, then just wipe the old and install the new fresh version..Burn all programs to disk,weather it will be CDR or DVD...

 

No, this is not the case.

I wouldn't suggest that either.

RSInfo gave you the best path for resolving this issue, albeit with one unmentioned caveat. You can use the new retail OS CD to do a repair install which will provide you with an opportunity to use the new valid key and you won't lose any of your existing programs or data. If SP3 has been installed and your retail CD is only SP2, you'll probably have to make a slipstreamed SP3 CD using both SP3 and the retail CD.

 

Hi again and thanks folks-
SP3 is not installed.

from RSinfo's lead I found

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/se...en&sGuid=84e34537-2dad-444f-8dce-fba5638183fd

and there:
"Windows Product Key Update Tool Instructions "

Do you think this is appropriate or do you think using the new retail XP repair is better?
Will it give the ( "R" for repair) option if I boot from it?

Cheers, Gerry.

 

I think that should do it.

Take a backup just in case

 

Yes, it should. Personally, I'd go with the repair install instead of just changing the key and the reason for this recommendation is that I have seen machines with the "changed key" that will not accept the new valid XP CD when a repair install is attempted at a later date.