XP Pro upgrade from W2K Pro

[Chelle]

Hey guys,

I got a good deal on XP Pro (full versions) and bought 8 to upgrade all the workstations here at the office. They're currently running W2K Pro. The boss doesn't want to do formats/fresh installs because there's too many programs/settings to re-install and set up.. so I'd like to just upgrade them. Only problem is when we tried the first one, it told us we couldn't upgrade from that version to that version. HUH? Is it because the XP discs are full versions and not upgrades? I would have thought it would have given you that option at least.

Is there any way to do this without having to do a fresh install and losing everything?

Thanks!

[Gunslinger]

I always thought you could do an upgrade using the full retail version of XP? :scratch:
(I'm pretty sure you get asked whether you want an upgrade or a full install)

However, OEM copies of Windows XP will not perform an upgrade as they are intended for use with new PCs only. You also can't upgrade to Windows XP 64-bit version from earlier Windows versions.

If you are certain that you have full retail version licences then I suggest you get hold of a single copy of the upgrade CD and use it on all 8 systems...

[Fireblade]

I've never used Win2k, but I'm sure it should be exactly the same as upgrading from any of the other OS'?
So as Gunslinger suggests... it sounds like you've actually received OEM versions Chelle, 'coz you shouldn't get that error message with the full retail version :confused:

[Scooby Doo]

Eligibility for In-Place Upgrade (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/matrix.mspx)

So it SHOULD work :confused: .

I dont know if it makes a difference if your doing an upgrade from within windows ( as you should ) or from bootup?

[Gunslinger]

I know that it is possible to upgrade from Windows 2000 using a Retail Windows XP SP1 Upgrade CD as I've done that several times, and I've now confirmed that you can't do it with an Windows XP OEM SP2 CD-ROM (it complains that there is already an operating system on the disk).

I don't have an actual Retail Full version SP2 CD, but I have got a Partner Program Full version CD and that worked for upgrading XP Home to XP Professional - haven't tried from 2000 yet, but I can't see why it wouldn't work. We have one more Win2K system left to upgrade early next month - if you are still interested I'll try the full CD and let you know how that goes... :cowboy: