going legit (XP)

jab119jab119
edited August 2005 in Science & Tech
before anyone tells me how wrong I am I know it already know.

I have been using an "educational version" of windows XP Pro for a few years now. I want to go legit and get an actual boxed version of XP.

Now with out re-formating the HD can I just reinstall a boxed version or will there be a lot of steps involved?

are there some threads here about this already?

James

Comments

  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    u can just buy a boxed version, and then just use a key changer to change your old key to the new key. don't even need to install it.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Or, if it's XP Pro, you can install in "Repair" mode. Towards the end of the installation it will ask you for the key.
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    the pirated (FCKGW) version was XP Pro Corp - if you're "upgrading" from that, your new key won't work if you just try to use the key changer.
  • jab119jab119
    edited August 2005
    thanks everyone.....

    James
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Yep, I had a client legitimize and there was one computer that was running corp FCKGW, that had to be completely reinstalled. Repair install, key change, I tried it all.
  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    what if it was xp corp but not the fckgw key??
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    same thing - since you are using either an OEM or Retail disc to do the repair install, it won't work. If you try to change the key, you still can't run genuine advantge, it won't recognize the legit key. My client had to legitimize so that they could run genuine advantage so that they could get updates, etc.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited August 2005
    There are ways around that stupid genuine advantage.

    I thought it was only supposed to stop you from downloading stuff like WMP updates and allow you to still download critical updates for Microsoft's own sake?
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    There's always Linux....

    :rolleyes2
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Not everyone has the time or money to retrain their employees in a new operating system. I know here we have a hard enough time getting the employees to understand Windows.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Cyclonite wrote:
    Not everyone has the time or money to retrain their employees in a new operating system. I know here we have a hard enough time getting the employees to understand Windows.

    I don't think the starter of this thread needs to be retraining anyone... :scratch:
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Enverex wrote:
    I don't think the starter of this thread needs to be retraining anyone... :scratch:

    The conversation had moved into companies as well. I thought that's what you were referring to. It takes a lot of time to learn the intricacies of Linux anyway. :)
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    mmonnin wrote:
    There are ways around that stupid genuine advantage.

    Yes, the one legal way is to buy windows XP, which is what our clients chose to do.
  • GobblesGobbles Ventura California
    edited August 2005
    Corp/MSDN versions are not, key wise, compatible with retail. Generally a corp key wont work with a retail/oem version. Same applies to 2003 as well
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Gobbles wrote:
    Corp/MSDN versions are not, key wise, compatible with retail. Generally a corp key wont work with a retail/oem version. Same applies to 2003 as well
    EXACTLY!!!

    ..... and that goes back to what prime posted. Also the reason a "repair install" will not work either. Just like trying to do a repair install on XP Home with Pro and vice versa. They are totally different versions and keys, CD's and repairs are different. It just plain will not work! All you can do is back up waht you want to save and do a clean install of Windblows.
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