Coming in from the dark side

Liam Nolan

Hi I am running XP CORP edition (you know THE one) for a while but have decided with all the cr*p around with updates etc. to go legit. I have bought a shiney new XP pro disk but there doesn't seem to be a way to register this with out reinstalling windows or doing a repair install. I seem to remember a utility that changes your version of windows and then lets you re activate. Anyone any ideas or advice.

wes

Your gonna have to google for it mate. Shouldn't be too hard. I am pretty sure posting a link to do it would be against site rules. It can be done just have a look round for it.

Liam Nolan

I tried googling but too much stuff comes up about the reverse " pro to corp"

irlrobins

If it were me I'd do a clean install anyway. I'd prefer to have a nice clean setup than a messy hacked together install.

Ruu_Old

Exactly, just format and do a fresh installation. Nice and clean

Liam Nolan

I would like to do that but I have it running sweet all my progs running fine , i am using some bespoke software which was a nightmare to install with dongles etc. Also its networked to 2 other machines

irlrobins

Well then this will teach you not to use illegal software.

WizZard

Pro (OEM/Retail) keys will not work with Corporate editions.
A reinstall is your only option - in reality.

It's possible that you could replace all the DLL's etc, but that may not work as there is no definitive list of what DLLs/files are different. The CORPFILES package has changed a lot since Gold RTM

Liam Nolan

irlrobins ~~~~ you if i wanted morality I would have gone to a religious board, if you have nothing constructive to say then button it

irlrobins

Whoo easy tiger! My post was very much tongue in cheek. :cool:

WizZard

Liam Nolan wrote:

irlrobins ~~~~ you if i wanted morality I would have gone to a religious board, if you have nothing constructive to say then button it

With an attitude like that you may find yourself having a short stay here.
Cool it - it's only the internet.

Liam Nolan

OK I forgive him

Liam Nolan

I remember the prog it was called B]Do not directly post, request,or mention, warez, cracks, serials, keygens or anything else that infringes ownership/copyrights[/B anyone ever use it

Capt'n Midnight

"How to change the Volume Licensing product key on a computer that is running Windows XP SP1 and later versions of Windows XP"

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q328874

Warning The steps in the article are effective only on Volume License media. If you try these steps on OEM media or on retail media, you will not change the product key.
...
This article describes how to change the Windows XP product key after a Volume Licensing installation. You can use the Windows Activation Wizard graphical user interface (GUI) or a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) script. The Activation Wizard method is easier, but if you must change the product key for multiple computers, the script method is better.

If that don't work then repair/reinstall etc.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Liam Nolan wrote:

I remember the prog it was called B]Do not directly post, request,or mention, warez, cracks, serials, keygens or anything else that infringes ownership/copyrights[/B anyone ever use it

I've just googled that, nothing seems to show up

Sparky

Whats the differnece between pro and corp anyway?
Is it that whole not having to activate 120 machines feature?

Karoma

Sparky-s wrote:

Whats the differnece between pro and corp anyway?
Is it that whole not having to activate 120 machines feature?

Same OS. Pretty much.

WizZard

Sparky-s wrote:

Whats the differnece between pro and corp anyway?
Is it that whole not having to activate 120 machines feature?

Corporate versions are pre-activated/don't need activation.
It's handy when you're rolling out a tonne of desktops

It's only available in/for Pro versions.

Corporate keys will not work with OEM/Retails keys and vice versa. Capt'n Midnight's solution will work if the OP bought a Corporate version, but I highly doubt that Otherwise it's just used for changing a corporate key.

seamus

It is possible to make the change at the media level (i.e. if you only have a Corp. disk, it's possible to change it to accept retail keys), but as others say you're probably better off reinstalling.

At best you can use the USMT (Files and Settings transfer wizard) to retain all your settings.

NutJob

seamus wrote:

It is possible to make the change at the media level (i.e. if you only have a Corp. disk, it's possible to change it to accept retail keys), but as others say you're probably better off reinstalling.

At best you can use the USMT (Files and Settings transfer wizard) to retain all your settings.

Youll retain ur files but ull losse things like firefox + visual studio and a good chunk of installed apps. Had to do this in work still installing stuff.:D