I installed a “bootleg” copy of Windows XP Professional last year to know if I like it or not, but since then, I have decided that I do like it a lot. So, I have bought a legal version of the same program but need to know if I can just reinstall it over the top of the bootleg copy or do I need to wipe out the bootleg and install it like new. I don’t want to lose all my settings.
GQ is not the place for snarky responses, but … that’s what you get for breaking the law (assuming your use of quote marks in “bootleg” means an illegal copy).
This may be a lesson for you to avoid breaking the law in the future.
Since the licensed copy is esentially identical, the only thing you really need to do is change the CD key. Since there are legitimate reasons for needing to do so, and you now have a legally licensed copy, I’ll post a link here.
Follow those instructions to change the CD key you installed the ahem other version with to the one that came with your purchased CD.
Oh yeah. Disclaimer: This information should only be used to change the CD key of a legally purchased version at the instruction of a Microsoft customer service rep. Q.E.D. is not responsible for someone using this information in an illegal manner.
Frankly, I wouldn’t change it. If it works fine, just keep it the way it is. If you get questioned later, bring out your other copy. Sometimes changing small things like that can have unpredictable effects. You never know.
The bootleg version probably won’t be able to use the SP1 patch and future patches.
The CDkey changer is great. Nothing goes wrong with XP.
It’s the key that keeps you from accessing SP1 and other patches. If you have a valid key, you can get the patches no matter where you actually got the software from. I know from ahem experience.
For those of you who are interested, I reinstalled the legit upgrade copy of XP over the top of the existing “trial” copy of XP. It upgraded just fine with all of my previous settings intact. No problems whatever. I still have all programs working as before. I have since installed SP-1 and all went well. I am a happy camper. I am finally legal.
Just for the record, I wasn’t trying to be illegal with the “trial” copy of XP. I merely wanted to know if it would function well on my old 433Mh HP Pavilion. Actually, it is faster than my previous version of Windows 98. So, it was worth the try. 
Yeah, I forgot about that SP1 patch…but then I didn’t think the Pro version used any patches.
OK, somewhat related question that I’d like to keep contained here instead of a new topic:
I’ve got WinME, and want to install XP once I get an extra 128MB of RAM (making it 256). Am I going to munge things up awfully if I just try to install the doggone thing, and then uninstall WinME? Or if there’s a specific “OS install for Dummies” type forum, I’ll gladly take a point in the right direction.
Since both ME and XP are NT based, I don’t think migration to XP will be much of an issue for you. Get an XP upgrade version, and you’re good to go. Note: if you get hold of a full version, you will HAVE to format your drive, which is the way I personally reccomend you go. back up all your files, gather up all your software install disks, and get ready to enjoy an afternoon of putting everything back in. Don’t worry too much about hardware. XP has thousands of drivers embedded. As soon as you get XP up and running go to windows update, and get SP1 and any other upgrades it tells you are available.Doing it this way is a pain in the ass, but it solves a lot of future probs, like issues caused by a bloated registry.
Just upgrade ME to XP. That way all your programs, icons, mail settings, bookmarks etc. will be preserved. There is a lot of paranoia and superstition about upgrading operating systems but I have done lots of 9X/ME upgrades to 2000 and XP and they have all been very successful and I’ve always been glad I did it that way.
I think the hysteria might go back to earlier days but I even did 3.1 -> 95 upgrades with consistently good results so maybe its just paranoia.
FYI ME is not NT based it is 9x based (it does have some 2000 look and feel but it doesn’t use the NT kernel). But still the upgrade is smooth.
Thanks, Cooper. I knew that ME was a gussied-up 9x OS, and I’ll still go through the backup of important files, but it sounds like it shouldn’t be too much of a knuckle-biter.
A bootleg copy of Windows XP is based upon the Product Activation Key and not the software itself.
If you buy a license and no software, as long as you have a legally obtained key, you can use anyone’s copy of XP to install on a system. OTOH, if you acquire the key by other than legal means, any installation of XP software using that key is illegal.
We are looking to buy a considerable number of licenses (and their keys) but only require one actual CD software set. We will burn our own CDs from the master and issue each (modified - by us) copy with its original license and original key for the machines being upgraded. It’s all legal.
Duckster, you might want to consider a volume license. This could save your company some money, depending on how many licenses you need. You will receive one volume license CD key for all the licenses you purchase.