Re: Can I "upgrade" Vista to XP Pro using XP Pro Upgrade package


"ggull" <ggullNOSPAMONI@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OvrGdGptIHA.2292@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Xandros" <arron.neus*remove*@gmailcom> wrote
"ggull" <ggullNOSPAMONI@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
I have an unopened XP Pro Upgrade package I got long ago for a project
but never used.
Is there some way I can take a new over-the-counter desktop with Vista,
and convert it to XP Pro using this disc? (Or laptop for that matter.)

You will need a "qualifying version of Windows" in order to do a clean
install with your Upgrade version of XP. Vista is not a qualifying
product. Only previous versions of Windows i.e. Windows 9x, Windows Me,
Windows 2000 or Windows XP Home Edition will satisfy the XP Pro Upgrade
installer. Getting your hands on an old Windows 98 CD for a few dollars
would be a good option. You will need to delete the partition that houses
Vista, reformat as NTFS and install XP. During setup the XP installer
will ask for a qualifying version of Windows, briefly insert the Windows
98 (or other qualifying version) and the request will be satisfied.
Installation should complete normally. Be forewarned that you may find it
a bit troublesome to find XP drivers for the new desktop. If you know how
to search for drivers and help forums you should be able to find drivers
though.

Thanks! .. this may prove very useful. I have an old computer collecting
dust that I believe came with an actual Windows 98 disc (is OEM ok?)
instead of 'restoration' discs. I'll have to check, and if not, as you
say, I see thay can be picked up cheaply on ebay, or at least cheaply
compared to a new XP Pro. .
Any references for the "search for drivers and help forums" part?
I consider any new computer project without a learning curve to be hardly
sporting.


As Bruce stated an OEM version has restrictions however it will satisfy the
request for your XP Upgrade installer. It will not pose any problems with
activation or the like. If you can sleep at night for this illegal action
then live with it. Of course some folks can't.

As for finding drivers do a google search for "XP drivers <yourhardware>" or
visit the manufacturer's site to see if they have them.


--

Xandros


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Challenging XP Pro Activation - from image (please help)
    ... configured with XP Pro Upgrade edition, was built with the Windows XP ... Pro using my existing Windows XP Home edition disc to ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Optical Drive Stops Reading Discs, Requires Reboot
    ... the optical drive in my computer and the disc opens up as empty. ... Windows Installer problem. ... run the Windows Uninstaller or Installer fix. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: Corrupted/ infected files, thinking about total OS upgrade.
    ... I think at this stage of the game you best bet is a NEW installation with a retail copy of either Home or Pro. ... ago as Windows 95 and I have steadily upgraded my system over the years ... Windows XP Home upgrade disc and here we are, all these years later and a ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Corrupt Office 2003 Student and Teacher Disc
    ... It cannot be read by DVD drives but CD drives do just fine ... It was installed on Windows Server 2003 machine so I ... put the disc in that one again, connected via Remote Desktop, made an image ... Those 3 are able to start the installer for 2003 Pro and ...
    (microsoft.public.office.setup)
  • Re: Win XP PRO disc corrupt
    ... Windows XP - Shell/User ... | I had previously installed Win xp Pro on my kids computer. ... | has been really funky so I did a complete reformat on the hard disc. ... | to the same corrupt disc message. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
Loading