Install WinXP Home over WinXP Pro

LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, Alaska Icrontian
edited May 2004 in Science & Tech
I have a friend who has a, cough, corporate version of WinXP Pro installed on their system. The friend wants me to install his legitimate WinXP Home edition on their computer. Reason being that I'm moving and will no longer be able to help my friend with his system; he's not very software/OS literate and knows that he'll hit a brick wall with service technicians or MS when he later needs.

Well, a few months back, I tried to install WinXP Home over his Pro version in repair mode. Windows would not let me. The popup window stated that windows could not install an older or less advanced version of Windows over the existing installation? Is there a workaround for this? I really, really don't want to spend hours and hours building up my friends installation again with their software, email accounts, and so forth.

Comments

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    No workaround. Microsoft stupidly decided that there should be no cross-grade path between home and pro versions. You have to reinstall :(
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    *&$#(*@#*$&%)#@(
  • MedlockMedlock Miramar, Florida Member
    edited May 2004
    Yeah. That was my reaction when I found I couldn't install Pro over Home.
  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    u can't install pro over home?? weird......

    and for the tech support part, since he got a legit xp home cd key, couldn't he just use that when they ask for it, and get tech support that way?? I don't think it's necessary to go through all that hassle.
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    Reverse, Lieshi. Pro on now, Home wanted.... Pro can go over Home with VERY extreme difficulty.

    Unless the thread starter can back up and restore some settings, or copy\image HD, stick it in another box, stick home in, and use AlohaBobs' PC transporter\Mover thing to get settings and email transfered onto home as much as possible, this is not really doable. You want a PC settings and user data mover for this, ideally. And ideal is not very ideal in this situation. Because we are going to something legal and personal stuff is recoverable, thought I might mention how to get most of it at least.
  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    my statement about can't install pro over home was directed towards TheGr81, i should have stated that.

    and second part of my post is directed towards Leo
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    and for the tech support part, since he got a legit xp home cd key, couldn't he just use that when they ask for it, and get tech support that way?? I don't think it's necessary to go through all that hassle
    That's an excellent question. If she did have to call for support, would the legit XP Home CD key satisfy MS Technicians? I really, really don't want to reinstall all the 300 programs, chat services, and other stuff on that machine.
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