My OS is hooky, and I'd like to correct it.

[Will Hay]

I've recently bought a PC from a pal, and his operating system [WinXP Pro] is hooky.

I'd like to buy a proper version, but it's WinXP Professional and I can't afford that so I guess I'll buy the UK version of the [basic] home edition.

It's about 55.00GBP [110USD-ish] with a hardware [cheap mouse!] purchase.


I guess I should get vista, rather than replace XP.

My question is, as I don't want to format my entire machine, if I buy a legitimate version of a new OS [vista] which is a cheaper type than the hooky version already installed, will I be able to simply install from the cd-rom, and install successfully over the top of the existing OS?

Many thanks for any advice.
Will Hay Jnr

[psx_pirate]

winxp home cannot be installed over winxp pro ... you will need to completely reformat the hard drive but i'm not sure whether this rule applies to windows Vista maybe you can search the MS wwebsite for an answer

[handyguy]

What type of computer is it? Some use bios activation.

[Will Hay]

What type of computer is it? Some use bios activation.

I'm sure that's a good idea but I've no idea what it means.

It's a computer I built myself [check out my computer details, give or take an extra controller card and two more HDD's it hasn't changed much ].
Will

[Richard_G]

Will Hay, now there's a blast from the past.......

Don't go for Vista, of the 4 people I know that have bought machines with it pre-installed, only one is still using it. A machine that runs as fast as you need under XP slows to a crawl under Vista (mind you, PCWorld selling 2.8Ghz Pentium D machines with only 512MB of RAM and Vista isn't going to do Vista any favours).

[Will Hay]

Don't go for Vista, of the 4 people I know that have bought machines with it pre-installed, only one is still using it. A machine that runs as fast as you need under XP slows to a crawl under Vista (mind you, PCWorld selling 2.8Ghz Pentium D machines with only 512MB of RAM and Vista isn't going to do Vista any favours).

Fair enough, WinXp has been great [on my legitimate laptop] and ebuyer has what I think is WinXp Pro for 80.00GBP-ish so I guess I could stretch to that [as long as I'm sure it'll work perfectly].
Will

[redwudz]

I wouldn't try Vista with that setup, it would be very sluggish. With XP, you could go for the Pro or Home. There isn't much difference between Pro and Home. Pro has a few more networking tools and some better system management tools, but nothing you would likely miss. If you wanted to save a few $$, and you didn't need the 'extras', Home would be fine.

A link to a short list of the differences: http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article10-002

[Faustus]

Unless you specifically need Pro for something Home should be just fine.

That being said yes you are looking at having to format in order to install it.

[vhelp]

Hay Will,

I too have recently upgraded my setup. Sparing you the balone salamey, I am
totally 97% happy with this new change. And I don't mind saying so, that now,
I have some regret for not making the change, since. I was too nervous about
the activation thing, mostly, because I knew I would be inside the case
making deaily/weekly changes and what-nots. Anyway.

My XP Home is running fine. I especially love the Stand by feature. It
really shines bright where you are in the middle of things, apps open and what-
ever.. and you have to shut down to go to bed or work or whatever. When you
put this thing in Stand by, and shut down, the next time you go into it,
*EVERYTHING* loads back up in a snap (almost, aprox 5-8 secs) right where you
last left it -- everything. When I'm working inside video, be it encoding or editing,
I can't tell you how soo life-saving a feature this is for me.

redwudz/Faustus is right, you prob won't need XP Pro. I think that XP Home
will do very nicely for ya.

Course, (thanks to my KVM switch box) I still use my ECS K7S5A (AMD) XP 1800+
for my regular stuff, including typing this post out, here

Case you missed this, here's a little history..

--> I'm Finally ugrading my OS and Computer to Win XP Home !! -- April/2007

-vhelp 4307

[Will Hay]

I really can't face a format, there's just too much stuff to do.
I looked at microsoft site last night and they wanted 95.00GBP for a legitimate key for WinXP Pro.
I entered all my details [it's 85.00GBP for a UK retail store plus the cost of the hardward you need to buy so I figured what teh hell] and hit proceed but the b*stard of a site kept telling me there was nothing in my basket, so I gave up.
Will

[gadgetguy]

I really can't face a format, there's just too much stuff to do.
I looked at microsoft site last night and they wanted 95.00GBP for a legitimate key for WinXP Pro.
I entered all my details [it's 85.00GBP for a UK retail store plus the cost of the hardward you need to buy so I figured what teh hell] and hit proceed but the b*stard of a site kept telling me there was nothing in my basket, so I gave up.
Will

You probably had cookies blocked for the site (or the checkout site).

[Will Hay]

Thanks, I'll investigate and see if it helps

[TBoneit]

Keep in mind that your computer is most likely running Corporate edition and that site is likely selling an OEM version. I would want it in writing that it will repair your corp edition.

OEMs don't do upgrades.

If you have the CD for the windows you are running I'd just pay MS and be done with it if I were you.

[noki]

don't forget to backup all the drivers on your OLD system before attempting any major changes.

[Will Hay]

If you have the CD for the windows you are running I'd just pay MS and be done with it if I were you.

I don't [have the CD], but as part of the 95.00GBP Microsoft sends out a new CD so yes, I'm gonna investigate the cookie issue and try purchase again tonight.
Thanks,
Will

[TBoneit]

You have backed up everything you want to keep, written down settings such as e-mail since I suspect you will need them.