Hi my laptop is running windows xp professional (the very basic one with no service packs). Before I had SP1 but I got a virus and had to format the hard drive. I am running the basic windows xp because my friend installed it and I think that he used his serial key. I had one on the back of my laptop but I guess he never saw it. When I used windows update it wouldn't let me. When I downloaded SP1 and SP2 it wouldn't let me upgrade. I was wondering is there any way for me to upgrade to windows SP2 with an official SP1 serial code. I also want to know if I could do this without overwriting any of my installed programs or files. Also how would I be able to do this because the computer came preinstalled with windows xp SP1. Would it be legal for me to download a version of windows xp and then I could put in my serial code. If so where would I be able to download a version. I'm sorry if this sounds confusing. If anyone doesn't understand I could try to clarify. Many thanks Michael
It's not letting you upgrade because your 'friend' did you an injustice and used a pirated serial key. Now you can do two things. 1. Good way. Get a key changer like WinKey Finder and change the key to your COA key on the back. Install SP2. Use the big version, not the small. 2. Best way. Intergrate SP2 by slipstreaming into your XP installation. To do this, follow this simple procedure. http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=295 Now that procedure is kinda long and drawn out, and you can replace the folder names with whatever you want, but keep the names simple...no spaces!! DOS commands don't like spaces and you'll get an error saying the target cannot be found. If you have any questions or get stuck, post back...we'll be glad to help.
If I take step 2 after I finish intergrating SP2 could I just install it over my windows XP and still have all of my programs and files intact? Many thanks Michael
It may be possible if you do a repair installation using XP SP2. I have yet to test that myself as I've always done a new installation. If you haven't done one, during Windows setup after you press F8 to accept the EULA, setup will detect the installed version and give you a choice for a new, or repair install. Choose repair.
OK then I will try that. When I was intergrating SP2 into my windows xp disc, when I got to the "Applying the Service Pack" bit, it didn't look how it did on the website. When it was applying the SP2 the box looked like it was extracting it and not how it looks like on the site. After it finished applying it, I never got a box where I could click OK. I was just wondering if it was normal and if I should continue as normal and burn the disk. I am doing all of this on my windows xp machine. Many thanks Michael
OK then I will try that. When I was intergrating SP2 into my windows xp disc, when I got to the "Applying the Service Pack" bit, it didn't look how it did on the website. When it was applying the SP2 the box looked like it was extracting it and not how it looks like on the site. After it finished applying it, I never got a box where I could click OK. I was just wondering if it was normal and if I should continue as normal and burn the disk. I am doing all of this on my windows xp machine. Many thanks Michael
You won't get any interactive dialog boxes once you begin the extraction or the intergration. It just ends.
