Reinstalling Windows XP

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Guest

Ok this is my situation: I am running Windows XP which was installed from a
CD that was pirated. Now I would like to have the SP1 and SP2 updates, and
obviously I cant due to the invalid product key. I also have an authentic
'Windows XP w/SP2' CD that I bought, and would like to install. Can I simply
reinstall this authentic 'Windows XP w/SP2' over my existing windows without
losing any files? Also since my current version of windows does not have SP1,
can I automaticcaly go from no service packs to SP2 or do I to have SP1
already installed in order to go to SP2. Basically does SP2 contain
everything SP1 does and then somemore? How exactly do I go about installing
this Windows XP w/SP2 without losing my current
programs/files/configurations? Thank you
 
You will be much better off backing up your files and starting over. While
you can install an OS on top of another OS you may run into issues during MS
updates with having a invalid copy of windows.
 
Fazal said:
Ok this is my situation: I am running Windows XP which was installed from a
CD that was pirated. Now I would like to have the SP1 and SP2 updates, and
obviously I cant due to the invalid product key. I also have an authentic
'Windows XP w/SP2' CD that I bought, and would like to install. Can I simply
reinstall this authentic 'Windows XP w/SP2' over my existing windows without
losing any files?
Click to expand...


Yes, but you should back up any important data, just in case something
goes wrong.

Also since my current version of windows does not have SP1,
can I automaticcaly go from no service packs to SP2 or do I to have SP1
already installed in order to go to SP2. Basically does SP2 contain
everything SP1 does and then somemore?
Click to expand...


Yes, WinXP's service packs are cumulative, so SP2 contains everything
that SP1 had, plus subsequent fixes.

How exactly do I go about installing
this Windows XP w/SP2 without losing my current
programs/files/configurations? Thank you
Click to expand...


You need to use the _legitimate_ license of WinXP Pro to perform a
repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the new CD and
Product Keys.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341


--

Bruce Chambers

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

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Hi Fazal,

In additional to all the other great advice, even after getting SP2
installed, be sure to visit Windows Udate, as there are somewhere in the
neighborhood of 60-80 *additional* updates that have come out after the SP2
was realeased.

--
HTH,
Curt

Windows Support Center
www.aumha.org
Practically Nerded,...
http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm

| Ok this is my situation: I am running Windows XP which was installed from
a
| CD that was pirated. Now I would like to have the SP1 and SP2 updates, and
| obviously I cant due to the invalid product key. I also have an authentic
| 'Windows XP w/SP2' CD that I bought, and would like to install. Can I
simply
| reinstall this authentic 'Windows XP w/SP2' over my existing windows
without
| losing any files? Also since my current version of windows does not have
SP1,
| can I automaticcaly go from no service packs to SP2 or do I to have SP1
| already installed in order to go to SP2. Basically does SP2 contain
| everything SP1 does and then somemore? How exactly do I go about
installing
| this Windows XP w/SP2 without losing my current
| programs/files/configurations? Thank you
 
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