Member Avatar for sleap

We purchased a few pc's a while back that had XP home installed. We're moving to a domain based network, and Home won't allow connection to it. We're part of the MS Partner program, and have XP Pro to upgrade to, but, it says that the OS already installed is newer, and won't allow us to do it any other way than a clean install. There are files/programs already there that we want to preserve.

Is there any way around this?

Thanks!!

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The error described by usually happens because the XP Pro disc is an older build (lower service pack) than the XP Home already installed. Windows Setup will refuse an in-place upgrade if the installation media is older than the running OS. Verifying the installed service pack (Control Panel -> System) will usually confirm this.

A reliable way to preserve programs/settings is to create Pro media that is the same build or newer than the Home install by slipstreaming the appropriate service pack into the Pro CD. Typical steps:

  1. Copy the entire XP Pro CD to a folder on a working PC, e.g. C:\XPPRO.
  2. Download the standalone SP package from Microsoft (examples):
    WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe (SP2) or
    WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe (SP3).
  3. Integrate the pack into the copied CD files: 
    WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe /integrate:C:\XPPRO

    (or use the SP3 filename with the same /integrate: switch).

  4. Burn the updated folder to a new CD/ISO. Insert that disc while running XP Home and run X:\i386\winnt32.exe from Explorer (do not boot from the CD if an in-place upgrade is required). The Upgrade option should now be presented and will preserve installed programs in most cases.

Notes and fallbacks: as observed, a clean install is sometimes simpler and more reliable; as noted, keeping a full backup or using a second partition to install Pro (then migrate profiles) are valid fallback plans if slipstreaming or licensing blocks the in-place upgrade. Confirm the Pro media/type matches the license (retail vs OEM/upgrade restrictions). Also remember Windows XP reached end-of-support on April 8, 2014, so consider plans to move to a supported OS for security and compatibility.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

forget it !

Member Avatar for dlh6213

Edit -- No longer applies since Caperjack edited his post :)

Member Avatar for paradox814

sounds like its time to format and re-install windows

Member Avatar for antioed

I'm thinking you might be able to preserve your stuff by booting off the cd and running setup but it'd be smarter to back up your data and reformat. If you absolutely must have the programs that are installed on the XP Home installation then partition another slice on the drive and install Pro to that...XP boot loader should give you a choice to boot either one, just pick the one you want when you start up.

Member Avatar for nanosani

Yes if you install the windows from scratch ... you'll most probably have the same settings as your previous windows .... if its an upgrade not a new installation.

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