Converting retail XP to VLK XP?

googlemad · 20-08-2008, 05:01 PM

For some reason one of our community PCs *looks* to have some form of retail XP installed rather than the VLK copy we own.

Trouble is - Activation is required on it and it won't accept the VLK key!

Is there any simple way to convert it without formatting?

SYNACK · 20-08-2008, 05:21 PM

From the looks of it the only way people have found is doing a repair install with volume media.

powdarrmonkey · 20-08-2008, 05:48 PM

I've never come across anyone who's managed it, sorry.

kmount · 20-08-2008, 06:11 PM

Think if your vlk media has embedded sp2 it will "upgrade".

Worth a go..

Michael · 20-08-2008, 07:07 PM

As far as I am aware, formatting is the only way. Windows license keys are specific per Windows version.

FN-GM · 20-08-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmount

Think if your vlk media has embedded sp2 it will "upgrade".

Worth a go..

Yep that will work.

googlemad · 21-08-2008, 10:22 AM

The problem with 'upgrading' is I can't actually get into XP to run setup from within XP if you get what I mean!

FN-GM · 21-08-2008, 11:14 AM

What does it do when you try it?

Z

LeMarchand · 21-08-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by googlemad

The problem with 'upgrading' is I can't actually get into XP to run setup from within XP if you get what I mean!

If you're trying the "repair installation" method, surely you don't need to get into XP - just boot from your VLK media.

Michael · 21-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

The problem with 'upgrading' is I can't actually get into XP to run setup from within XP if you get what I mean!

You wouldn't be upgrading as such but repairing. You cannot upgrade XP to XP. When your computer first POSTs (power on self test), you boot off your Windows installation disc, follow the on screen menu and choose to repair the existing installation.

You'll see something like this: Press any key to boot from CD....

If you do not see this, you need to get into your BIOS (usually pressing the DEL key or F2 typically), then change the boot sequence to your CD/DVD drive first, then your local disk which holds Windows.

Please let us know how you get on, as I still have my reservations whether this'll work, but if the others say it does, it probably does. If you had a lot of machines to do, starting again from scratch and creating an image would be quicker.

tarquel · 21-08-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeMarchand

If you're trying the "repair installation" method, surely you don't need to get into XP - just boot from your VLK media.

Googlemad was on about upgrading by putting the CD into the machine while in Windows

I dont think it performs the same processes as a "in-place repair" (i.e. boot CD and choose repair) does it?

Tho I cant think of one time where i've used the setup of XP within a OS to upgrade from one OS to XP.

Clean install is usually the best idea though.

If you can get in through the administrative shares and take off any data you need, then i cant see why you'd want to install XP over the top of itself really (depending on your deployment method of course

].

Regards
Nath.

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20-08-2008, 05:01 PM	#1
googlemad Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 307 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 0	Converting retail XP to VLK XP? For some reason one of our community PCs looks to have some form of retail XP installed rather than the VLK copy we own. Trouble is - Activation is required on it and it won't accept the VLK key! Is there any simple way to convert it without formatting?

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		EduGeek.net Forums > Technical > Windows
Converting retail XP to VLK XP?

20-08-2008, 05:21 PM	#2
SYNACK Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,722 Thanks: 59 Thanked 253 Times in 230 Posts Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 55	From the looks of it the only way people have found is doing a repair install with volume media.

20-08-2008, 05:48 PM	#3
powdarrmonkey Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alcester, Warwickshire Posts: 1,099 Thanks: 58 Thanked 104 Times in 87 Posts Rep Power: 22	I've never come across anyone who's managed it, sorry.

20-08-2008, 06:11 PM	#4
kmount Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 1,445 Thanks: 52 Thanked 108 Times in 105 Posts Rep Power: 25	Think if your vlk media has embedded sp2 it will "upgrade". Worth a go..

20-08-2008, 07:07 PM	#5
Michael Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 2,181 Thanks: 28 Thanked 167 Times in 135 Posts Rep Power: 40	As far as I am aware, formatting is the only way. Windows license keys are specific per Windows version.

21-08-2008, 10:22 AM	#7
googlemad Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 307 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 0	The problem with 'upgrading' is I can't actually get into XP to run setup from within XP if you get what I mean!

21-08-2008, 11:14 AM	#8
FN-GM Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochdale, Lancashire Posts: 4,927 Thanks: 157 Thanked 162 Times in 156 Posts Rep Power: 38	What does it do when you try it? Z

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