Installing Genuine XP

[irmo123]

Can I install a new OEM copy of of XP Pro right over a non-genuine version currently operating on a PC. This is an older (Pentium II) PC that had a coporate version of XP pro installed on it that is now flagged as non-genuine. I purchased an OEM version from the Egg.

Can I install the OEM version (repair install?) when it gets here? I don't want to lose any files or programs currently running.

[irmo123]

So, I've recieved my new copy of XP Pro from Newegg. Someone mentioned that it was possible to simply insert th new software key that came with my disk and then my copy would be recognized as genuine. Can anyone explain how to do that?

I am concerned that if I do a new installation (which is what the program indicates it will do) that I will lose all data and installed software applicaitons.

[juppy]

You said the program indicates it will do a new installation....are you saying the Repair option was not available when booting from the XP Pro CD? If so, then you might try this method (credit to michaelstevenstech.com)

OEM XP Pro can be used to repair install a "Corporate" VLK XP, but it must be run from Windows. When booting from the OEM XP Pro CD the repair option is not available. To get the option to Repair Install follow the steps below. 1. With Windows XP running. 2. Insert the OEM XP Pro CD. 3. Select install from menu. 4. You will get the warning message that upgrade is not available. 5. Select "new installation" and specify you want to choose the install partition after reboot. 6. Reboot 7. After reboot, setup will copy files to a temporary location. 8. At the first setup screen; press "Enter", [do not choose the "R" option] 9. After you accept the license agreement, the option to Repair will be offered. 10. Proceed with Repair Install It is unlikely the repair option is not offered in step #9; but if it isn't and you choose to reinstall, you will lose all information in the "Windows" and "Documents and Settings" folders. All information in My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, email, contacts and all applications that place key values in the registry will need to be reinstalled. You should abort the setup and explore other options.

[irmo123]

Actually, I did not boot from the disk, I started windows and inserted the new disk with Windows running. Should I try booting right form the disk and do a repair install or just follow the process you posted? It may not make a difference, but I don't know for sure.

By the way thank you for posting the steps, that is what I was looking for. Looks like there is no way to just input my new product key on the existing installation.

[juppy]

Yeah, try changing your BIOS boot order to boot from the CD drive and boot from the XP CD first, just to check and see if the Repair option is there. If it is, then yeah, I'd say try that one. BTW, just so you know, you want the second (R)Repair option, not the first one that says it'll do a repair by sending you to the Recovery Console. You don't want the recovery console. After going through the initial screens, it should eventually get to where it searches for existing installations of XP on the hard drive and if the Repair option is available, it will come up after it finds the existing install. If there's no Repair option available there, then try the other method I listed above. Just a note.....to be honest, this was all new to me. I thought the Repair option was always available when booting from the CD, but when looking up info for corporate versions of XP, I ran across the method above, so I'm not real sure which one it's going to be. Like I said though, try the CD boot first and if that don't work, go with the other way.

[irmo123]

Thanks, I will work on this over the weekend because it is apparent that I need to back everything up before doing this and that will take some time.

I assume the repair process will give me the opportunity to enter my new product key. Will it also give me the opportunity to activate it? I will have to do that too since this is a new disk.

[juppy]

Originally Posted by irmo123 Thanks, I will work on this over the weekend because it is apparent that I need to back everything up before doing this and that will take some time. I assume the repair process will give me the opportunity to enter my new product key. Will it also give me the opportunity to activate it? I will have to do that too since this is a new disk.

Yeah, backing up is always a good idea before doing something like this. And yes, the repair process *should* ask you for the product key, at which point you'd just enter the new key. I'm not sure on the activation part, but I would think so, yes. Since it's a new product key I would think it would automatically want to update it with Microsoft.

[irmo123]

I wanted to check in and report that the re-install of XP went smooth as glass using the steps provided by Juppy.

So, if you purchased an OEM copy of XP Pro to make your existing OS a Genuine copy. Follow the steps to do a repair install (skipping the first offer to repair). During the install you will be prompted for the product key. When your new install is finishing it will ask if you want to activate it, say yes. When you start up the newly installed OS the first time you will still get the banner that says your copy is not Genuine. Just click "Get Genuine". The software goes out and revalidates, sees your now valid key and gets rid of the "not genuine" banners notices and everything else.

Cheers.