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  • #2258039

    Can you upgrade…..

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    by mar_petry ·

    1. I have had an illegal Win XP Pro copy for about 5 years now on my home computer (gigabyte 1 motherboard). This copy still operates with SP1 and I do not update at all. Still running fine.

    2. I also have a registered copy of Win XP Pro on my home school computer. I believe comes with SP2.(gigabyte 2 motherboard)

    I plan in using the gigabyte 2 motherboard where the legal Windows is registered to and the boot up drive where the illegal WIndows is installed to. Can I install the legal Windows over the illegal Windows as an upgrade and not have to install all my programs?

    Thank you for your time

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    • #3229099

      Reply To: Can you upgrade…..

      by smogmonster ·

      In reply to Can you upgrade…..

      No, the legal copy will want to install in its own directory and will not inherit any of the registry settings belonging to the illegal copy. Legal copy will also recognise an existing version of Windows and reuest to be installed onto a new partition.
      My advice is to back up your data from illegal, install legal windows (although that will still be illegal cos you only have one licence) and then reinstall the programmes.

    • #3229098

      Reply To: Can you upgrade…..

      by smogmonster ·

      In reply to Can you upgrade…..

      No, the legal copy will want to install in its own directory and will not inherit any of the registry settings belonging to the illegal copy. Legal copy will also recognise an existing version of Windows and reuest to be installed onto a new partition.
      My advice is to back up your data from illegal, install legal windows (although that will still be illegal cos you only have one licence) and then reinstall the programmes.

    • #3229337
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      Reply To: Can you upgrade…..

      by hal 9000 ·

      In reply to Can you upgrade…..

      If you are thinking about using the HDD from the machine with the Illegal copy of XP and you have the same version of XP on your other computer Maybe.

      You can try the In Place Install listed here but it will only work if the Registry is undamaged as any Registry Damage will be transfered to the New install of XP, anyway the destructions are here

      http://tinyurl.com/g4bv8

      But if you are talking about using the same copy on 2 computers this is in breach of the MS EULA and could leave you open to legal action.

      Then there is also the interpretation of [b]Original Hardware[/b] if you have an OEM copy of Windows at the moment MS tends to allow replacement HDD’s to be added more RAM and the like provided that you do not replace the M’Board & CPU you should be fairly safe from MS’s Legal Department.

      Col

    • #3204581

      Reply To: Can you upgrade…..

      by mar_petry ·

      In reply to Can you upgrade…..

      Thanks smogmonster and Hal_2000. My total intention in to have one computer with the legal Windows with the hardware that it is registered to.

      The illegal copy of Windows XP I have came out before MS made it difficult to reuse the keys – even though this copy is still running very nicely and with all other programs so far I fear that it will become obsolete as time goes on as I am unable to update it –

      If I am unable to upgrade as inquired by my previous question, what about disabling the illegal Windows XP key and using the legal key?

      I know this would be impossible via installing a program as there is an encoding on the disc but the program is already on the computer.. Yes I am really trying to avoid re-installing everything, I have two drives, although a fresh start would be refreshing, but still…. all pertinent information is always backed up – so no worries there…

      Thanks for your time

    • #3204298

      Reply To: Can you upgrade…..

      by heavenambassador ·

      In reply to Can you upgrade…..

      Another suggestion would be to call Microsoft. Tell them you think your copy of Windows is using an invalid license, but you have a license you know that you purchased. They might be able to reactivate Windows with the new (legal) license if your computer is connected to the internet. I had to something similar to this once when I wanted to transfer a license to a different computer and my licenses were all being used.

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