Windows XP Home Actication

I am wiping an older computer that currently has Windows XP Professional SP2
loaded onto it. I, however, cannot find the Pro disk, but I do have a
Windows XP Home edition disk. The question is, can I install Windows XP Home
edition and use the product key sticker that was on my computer for pro?
Thank you so much!

Aaron K.

Aaron K wrote:
> I am wiping an older computer that currently has Windows XP
> Professional SP2 loaded onto it. I, however, cannot find the Pro
> disk, but I do have a Windows XP Home edition disk. The question
> is, can I install Windows XP Home edition and use the product key
> sticker that was on my computer for pro?

No.
It's not just the CD Key that makes the install Windows XP Professional or
Windows XP Home Edition. *grin*

Since you stated that the CD Key is on a sticker on your PC - my bet is that
it was an OEM installation CD. You should contact those you bought the
computer from originally to find out if they can get you (free or pay) a
replacement CD. Another (viable) option is to find a friend that has an OEM
CD of Windows XP Professional and make a copy of it.. Use your CD Key (from
sticker) to install it with. Finally - you could use www.pricewatch.com to
find an OEM version of Windows XP Professional to buy...

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

"Aaron K" <AaronK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I am wiping an older computer that currently has Windows XP Professional SP2
>loaded onto it. I, however, cannot find the Pro disk, but I do have a
>Windows XP Home edition disk. The question is, can I install Windows XP Home
>edition and use the product key sticker that was on my computer for pro?
>Thank you so much!
>
>Aaron K.

Windows XP Product Keys are specifically coded for both the Edition
(Professional, Home, Media Center, Tablet) and for the version (OEM,
Retail Upgrade, Retail Full, Volume License, etc) and will only work
with a CD that is from that exact Edition and version.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca