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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: LesD on Aug 28, 2008, 20:28:02

Title: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: LesD on Aug 28, 2008, 20:28:02
Here's hoping!  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/LesD123/Smile.gif)

I have and early but genuine and legal XP Home CD with its Key Code.
Using this to install XP you then have to add SP2, SP3 etc. I have these Service Packs on CD's but I also have a genuine legal XP Pro CD with SP2 "slip-streamed" into the installation process. This version has already been activated on the PC I am using now.

The question for the forum experts at large is this, would it be possible to install from my XP Pro +SP2 installation CD and activate the installation with the genuine XP Home key code?

I ask because one is Pro and the other is Home?

I have used the XP Pro +SP2 install CD with a genuine XP Pro +SP1 key code successfully but this latest desire just might be a bridge too far!  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/LesD123/Wink.gif)


What does the forum think.   (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/LesD123/Confused.gif)
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Steve on Aug 28, 2008, 20:38:17
The simple answer is no I believe the key code is specific to the OS version whether it be XP Home XP pro OEM etc
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Sebby on Aug 28, 2008, 22:39:17
No, it won't work, Les.
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: net91 on Aug 28, 2008, 22:51:01
I tried to do something very similar in a virtual machine once. It didn't work.  :)
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: LesD on Aug 29, 2008, 08:39:17
Thanks for the replies. In my heart I knew as much and took the long way. In the event once Home was installed adding SP2 was a relatively quick process. I will put SP3 in probably later on today.
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Steve on Aug 29, 2008, 08:48:21
I always assumed that SP3 contained all the updates so you could have managed without SP2 unless obviously you are downloading SP3 and wish to keep the download to a minimum.
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: LesD on Aug 29, 2008, 10:11:22
I have SP3 on CD and I pondered the same thing but as the Home version didn't have SP1 I was not sure about going straight to SP3 so I decided to put SP2 on first.

So far so good, with nothing downloaded so far. Mind you I rarely use a fifth of my monthly bandwidth so I doubt that I should worry on that score!
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 29, 2008, 10:13:20
Except that you've only got two and a bit days to use this month's, Les. ;)
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Inactive on Aug 29, 2008, 10:17:21
Quote from: Rik on Aug 29, 2008, 10:13:20
Except that you've only got two and a bit days to use this month's, Les. ;)

Good point Rik, I am up against the buffers this month on my allowance, looks like I may for the very first time get charged extra, which is a bit sick really, 'cos many months I hardly use my connection at all.

I vote that we have a 12 monthly allowance..  ;D
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 29, 2008, 10:18:45
It would be an interesting marketing move, In. If people paid annually, they could be given a block allowance for the period. OTOH, technically, that makes it hard to predict network usage...
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Inactive on Aug 29, 2008, 10:24:23
I am just avoiding any downloads until the month is out ..  :fingers:
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Sebby on Aug 29, 2008, 11:12:46
Service packs are cumulative, Les, so they include all previous updates. It's the same with firmware; just can just load the newest.
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: drummer on Aug 29, 2008, 12:16:52
Microsoft tend to contradict themselves on occasion:

To install SP3, your computer must meet the hardware and operating system requirements listed below. In addition, your computer must at least be running Windows XP with Service Pack 1 installed.

We recommended that you have Service Pack 2 installed before installing SP3


http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/cc164204.aspx

But the download pages make no such stipulation.  Go figure.
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 29, 2008, 12:22:52
It's Microsoft, Drummer. Right and left hand. ;)
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Sebby on Aug 29, 2008, 12:27:11
Quote from: drummer on Aug 29, 2008, 12:16:52
We recommended that you have Service Pack 2 installed before installing SP3[/i]

I wonder if they mean when installing the service pack on Windows? Perhaps SP2 has some files that the SP3 setup needs or something like that. Certainly when you slipstream, you'd only need to do SP3.
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 29, 2008, 12:29:40
Depending on how aerodynamic you are. ;)
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Sebby on Aug 29, 2008, 12:30:08
I'm very aerodynamic. :laugh:
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 29, 2008, 12:31:55
I'm just plain slippery. ;D
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Sebby on Aug 29, 2008, 12:33:52
What you get up to in the comfort of your own home is your business. :eek4: ;D
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 29, 2008, 12:40:36
:lol:

Probably just as well. ;D
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Sebby on Aug 29, 2008, 12:49:47
:hehe:
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: LesD on Aug 29, 2008, 14:56:33
Quote from: drummer on Aug 29, 2008, 12:16:52
To install SP3, your computer must meet the hardware and operating system requirements listed below. In addition, your computer must at least be running Windows XP with Service Pack 1 installed.
Thanks Drummer as the grey matter ages I begin to doubt my recollection ability but the one you quote is what I had read a month or three ago when I put SP3 on this machine!  :thumb:

This vague recollection tempered what I did last evening with a bit of caution! I'm glad it did now. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/LesD123/Wink.gif)
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: JB on Aug 30, 2008, 09:39:11
Quote from: Inactive on Aug 29, 2008, 10:17:21
I vote that we have a 12 monthly allowance..  ;D

Would suit me too In.  ;D
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Inactive on Aug 30, 2008, 09:46:00
 :thumb: Thought it might JB..  ;) 8)
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 30, 2008, 09:56:22
Let the ex-pats loose and see what happens. ;D
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Inactive on Aug 30, 2008, 10:02:17
Of course in an ideal world, if this single European thing worked properly, we would be able use our connection anywhere within the EU..... :pig: :pig:
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 30, 2008, 10:04:36
Now that would be nice. Another lifetime, maybe?  :'(
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Inactive on Aug 30, 2008, 10:06:20
Another planet I think Rik..  ;D
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Rik on Aug 30, 2008, 10:07:09
Maybe even galaxy - there, got us onto food now.  ;D  :choc:
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Odos on Aug 30, 2008, 21:41:58
Quote from: LesD on Aug 28, 2008, 20:28:02
I have used the XP Pro +SP2 install CD with a genuine XP Pro +SP1 key code successfully but this latest desire just might be a bridge too far!  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/LesD123/Wink.gif)

I know the original question has been answered but just a further little titbit with regards to XP.  From a lot of web investigating it appears that it doesn't really matter what SP is installed it depends upon the production version of the XP CD.

I found this out a while ago. I was trying to re-install XP home for someone, they had their original disk and key but their kids had been playing like Freddy Kruger with the CD, it was trashed. No problem I thought, I'll use my CD and their key. No chance.

After investigating I found out that there are different "versions" of each flavour of XP, depending upon the time of their production. A key for one "version" will not work for another even though they may both be XP home with no SP's slipstreamed.
Title: Re: Can XP Pro be activated with an early XP Home Key Code?
Post by: Simon on Aug 30, 2008, 21:51:33
That's interesting, and worth bearing in mind, Odos.  :)