XP Home to XP Pro

[superdave1984]

Anybody actually done this upgrade? I don't have a step up disk but I do have a full XP Pro. I have read several google entries on this and they all were fairly old so I'm not sure if the advice is still reliable. They referred to SP1 a lot. However, I have a user that needs this upgrade and of course doesn't want to lose any data. I have read about extracurricular activities that supposedly can be done to the home version and then burn a enw pro version, but I ain't going through all that if I can just pop in my Pro CD and do a straight upgrade.

 

[atomic tofu]

if you pop the disc in from the xp home desktop and it gives you an option to upg...you're good to go (which it should)

key being from the desktop, not booting with the disc in and optical as boot

edit: looking more on this...some sources are saying you can't do this at all...home to pro...let's see what I can find

this from majorgeeks forum post:
"...welcome to Major Geeks. I'm afraid you can't 'upgrade' from XP home to XP pro - period"

this from microsoft (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292607):
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Professional Retail (Full) Version
Windows XP Professional Upgrade Version

the top is the start...the bottom entries are your upgrade paths

I would think the Microsoft answer is the definitive...now all you have to worry about is if XXX driver will be included in the driver library of the disc you are using

 

[superdave1984]

Thanks. I'll see if she wants to pay the $$.

 

[EricB]

why do she want the upgrade?

I remember osirous (warez monster) posted a link about making a home version of xp, pro. this was about 3-4 years ago though

 

[superdave1984]

She has a laptop that she will use to connect using VPN to work. I need to install an app that will not work on XP Home. I have read about some hacks and cracks, but I really don't think either of us wants to go that route.

 

[EricB]

i have a hack for media center. it might work for home. it opens up that remote connection stuff

from my how to join a domain post



Insert Windows XP CD.
Start > Run > X:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons
(replace X: with the appropiate drive letter)
Acknowledge prompt by clicking 'Yes'.
Skip updating process by clicking 'Cancel' or by pressing 'Esc'
After installation, acknowledge success msg. by clicking 'Ok'
Start > Shutdown > Restart
At boot menu, select 'Microsoft Windows Recovery Console'
Select proper installation to log onto (default: 1) and press 'Enter'
(If prompted, enter Administrator password and press 'Enter')
Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'cd system32\config'
Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'copy SYSTEM C:'
Type (without quotes) and press enter: exit
At boot menu, select 'Windows XP Media Center Edition'

Start > Run > Type: 'regedit' and press enter
Click on 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE'.
File > Load Hive...
Browse and select C:\SYSTEM
Specify key name 'BANANA' and click OK
Expand: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > BANANA > WPA > MedCtrUpg
On the right-hand side, double-click IsLegacyMCE value
Change selected value to 1 and click Ok. (THAT IS NOT AN L!)
Click on BANANA subkey (under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE).
File > Unload Hive. Confirm.
Start > Shutdown > Restart
At boot menu, select 'Microsoft Windows Recovery Console'

Select proper installation to log onto (default: 1) and press 'Enter'
(If prompted, enter Administrator password and press 'Enter')
Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'cd '
Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'copy SYSTEM C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM'
(Yes, you want to overwrite - Go ahead and do it)
Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'del SYSTEM'
Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'exit'
At boot menu, select 'Windows XP Media Center Edition'