XP Home Install Over XP Pro?

[MarkTwain]

Can Windows XP Home be installed over Windows XP Pro?

A friend bought a ThinkPad with XP Pro
installed, but the XP Pro copy on the ThinkPad was there "for demo purposes
only" (no product key), so it wasn't capable of accepting any MS critical updates.

So, he purchased an OEM copy of XP Home with a product key.

Can he install the XP Home version right
over the XP Pro version OK?

Thanks for any feedback....

[bailey]

you cannot downgrade xp.

I think you would have to do a format and reinstall, but that could run into a driver problem. that machine should have come with the restore cd that you could try.

I have never heard of a demo xp that you discribed.

[ROYP123]

Posted by Bailey
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I think you would have to do a format and reinstall, but that could run into a driver problem. that machine should have come with the restore cd that you could try.
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Bailey- would it not work if he used his Home edition and did a repair instead of format/install. I think when you do a repair it saves the data , but re installs Windows.. that is why you need to download the updates afterwards.? Curious .

[bailey]

I'm betting that won't work as xp will see that it is a differant version and error out stating that you cannot down grade from pro to home, you can only got the other way around.

but what the heck give it a try, we might both be surprised,

[MarkTwain]

Thanks for your responses.

No Restore CD came with the sale.

What kind of a driver problem could
happen if he tried a format and reinstall
(of the XP Home?)....

[bailey]

don't really know for sure as I have never done it on that system, but it is always a possibility that should be considered.
mostly it could be special drivers for the motherboard hardware.