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General discussion

XP Home to XP Professional

Jan 12, 2005 5:02AM PST

I am basically a Mac guy, but as a designer, I do a lot of web work on the PC for my clients. My client is building an app with .NET technology and it looks like i need XP Pro so I can run and view some of the aspx related tools or run Virtual PC.

So my question is... is it easy to upgrade my machine from XP Home Ed. ver. 2002 to XP Pro?

Do I just buy the XP Pro upgrade?

I'm a bit wary, don't want to lose anything on my machine. please advise.

thanks, Jeff

Discussion is locked

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The way I understand it. . .,
Jan 12, 2005 7:16AM PST
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Jeff, This Should Help...
Jan 12, 2005 7:55AM PST

Yes, you should only need to buy the XP PRO Updgrade CD if you're going to install it "over the top" of the previous version. ONE NOTE: If your HOME version is already at SP2, then be sure to purchase the XP PRO SP2 CD...If you don't have the PRO SP2 CD, you will need to roll back to SP1 to run the upgrade... If you upgrade "over the top", you shouldn't lose any important files or documents...But...because there are never any guarantees in this world, make sure to make good backups BEFORE making the upgrade.

Here's a link which describes the upgrade proceedure..including pictures of what you'll see:

Windows XP PRO Upgrade Installation

If you decide to do a "clean" install with the XP PRO Upgrade CD, you will ALSO need the original XP HOME CD. During the process of formatting and installing the OS, Windows will ask for "proof" of the previous operating system CD. A Clean uninstall WILL WIPE THE DRIVE of all files.

Hope this helps.

Grif