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    Windows XP Pro upgrade question...

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Bootstrap, Jul 13, 2005.

  1. Bootstrap

    Bootstrap Notebook Guru

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    Hi,

    I'm about to purchase a new laptop and will need to put XP Pro on it for my university's network. Since I'm a student, I'm eligible for an academic upgrade version, so I thought I'd buy that instead of having it preinstalled to save myself some cash. My question is regarding the previous versions of Windows that you can have to be eligible for an upgrade. Microsoft's website lists all versions of Windows from 98 onwards except server editions, but I can't seem to find whether upgrade versions or OEM versions will work. I have a Windows 98 upgrade edition, and a Windows 2000 OEM disk that came with another computer... will either of these versions quality me for an XP Pro upgrade version? Or do I need to have a full (non-upgrade or OEM) version of a previous operating system?

    Thanks!
     
    Bootstrap, Jul 13, 2005
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  2. fhodz5

    fhodz5 Newbie

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    I had this dilemma a few weeks ago because I also have the academic upgrade version. I was looking around for my Dell OEM disk, and I contacted some friends who might have Windows 98. However, when I installed XP on the laptop it did not ask for any CD at all. I just typed in my key-code, and it went right into installing it. I don't know whether my disc was an anomolay, but I would go ahead and just try to do a full installation because I don't think you need another disc.
     
    fhodz5, Jul 13, 2005
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  3. Bootstrap

    Bootstrap Notebook Guru

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    That's odd... I was under the impression that it would ask for a previous disk during a clean installation. Where did you purchase your academic edition?
     
    Bootstrap, Jul 13, 2005
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  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    If you put the XP Pro disc in the drive while XP Home is still installed, it will ask you whether you want to upgrade or do a fresh install. It won't ask for the Windows disc. If you wipe the hard drive first and try and use the upgrade verison, it will ask for the disc.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 13, 2005
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  5. Bootstrap

    Bootstrap Notebook Guru

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    I see... so for a clean install, will a windows 98 upgrade version work? Or a 2000 OEM version? Or does the disk have to be for a full installation?
     
    Bootstrap, Jul 13, 2005
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  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Should be OK. You get into trouble if you have windows 95 or earlier.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 13, 2005
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