Bizarre question: Can you "upgrade"XP Pro Corporate to XP Pro Retail Upgrade?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 2:11 pm

Yeah, I know, wierd question.

I have a client who must immediately upgrade all his systems to XP Pro in order to properly use some proprietary software. 2 systems are being replaced with new Dells because they're not worth upgrading, but I'm upgrading one late model workstation that's running Win98 now.

He went ahead and ordered the XP Pro upgrade from Dell along with the new computers but it looks like it's going to be back-ordered for a couple of weeks.

No place to buy it around here (we're in the boonies - I'd have to drive 60 miles to closest Best Buy, and I just don't have the time to kill an afternoon between now and Friday).

I can always upgrade him with a copy of XP Pro Corporate for now to get him going. I don't have any legal problem with that since he's paid his $200 for a legal XP Pro upgrade. But eventually I'd like to install his own XP Pro license so there's no hassles for him down the road.

Anyone have any idea if the XP Pro Upgrade will "upgrade" XP Pro Corporate? I already know from past experience that a retail CD key can't used in Corporate (otherwise I'd for it to re-activate using the new key).

I'm guessing it should work, but...

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 4:40 pm

Ah, well, I'd think it would work. Probably all youll really end up doing is changing a dll or 2 and putting in a diffrent license number.

I know you can reinstall an OS on top of itself (like re-installing Win2k, etc) so actually, on second thought, Im about 90% sure it would work. The 'upgrade' part of your Q got me confused for a second, cause it's not really an upgrade, it's a reinstall.

TheManiacal1 · Post by **TheManiacal1** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 4:45 pm

i've tried using the registry hack on a corp edition install of xp to a compaq cdkey and it wouldn't take. the original corp ed cdkey was good too... so i dunno?

hmm.. well my reply was rather useless..lol

chottoED · Post by **chottoED** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 4:50 pm

do a repair install with the regular pro version afterwards

PreDatoR · Post by **PreDatoR** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 7:05 pm

what ed said works...

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 9:31 pm

Yeah Ed, that's what I was thinking. I would think it's the same OS except for 1 or 2 DLLs having to do with licensing as Judg3 said. Since a repair also forces you to re-license it I would think that would do it.

You just never know with MS. Thing might detect a different version and barf. I assure you'll do a Ghost backup first.

I'll report back how it works.