my XP is a dud

I bought my copy of Windows XP Pro at a swap meet.Then I read about the illegal copies in the newsletter and my # matches so am going to buy it again!!!
My question is: how to change over from the dud to the good without losing all my programmes.It has taken me 2 months to get them all and don't want to go back to scratch.
Any ideas please?
thanks tric

 

When you get the new version, just do a repair installation over the top of your "dud ". It will ask for the new CD key. All your apps will be fine.
You will then need to activate.

If you need to know how to do a repair installation, post back.

 

Thanks abraxas,haven't got it yet but within 2-3 days.I will head here if there's any problems.
I feel like a real twit.should have known better!!!!
tric

 

Well, you know what they say, "FCKGW ", or something like that.
The only thing to remember really about a repair is that you install just like the first time. You will be asked at some point to press "R" to repair with the recovery console. Skip this one and continue.
Later Setup will look for previous versions of Windows. When it finds one, it will ask you to press "R" to repair it. This is the one !

 

There is a simpler way...

There is a tool to remove the ID from the install for imaging multible drives, after this is run, on next reboot you would get an activation window due to the missing key. - Just enter your new valid PID and your off and running...

I will need to do some digging to get the info, but I will say it is on the XP cd so you should be ready to go... - I will Post back with the process tomorrow.

 

Hi profgab,many thanks for doing that!It would make things way easier!!!!!!!!!
regards and thanks.....tric