re-installing new XP over current XP OS

[Frank]

I had someone build me a computer, he siad it had all the
licenses. wrong.

MS said I did not have a valid license when I went to do
a down load.

I went out and purchased a new XP-Home addition OS.

Can I install this over the old XP system that is on this
computer, and will the product be registered?

Please advise.

Tanks!

Frank

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Provided that you are installing over an existing XP Home (not Pro) version,
a repair install will do it. Follow these steps to do a repair install which
should preserve your data, settings, and programs:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM
drive.
2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS settings to start
from
the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer again.
3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of Windows XP that you want
to
repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair process.
6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.

Note that you will need your new Product Key for this procedure, so have it
handy before you begin.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"Frank" > wrote in message
...
> I had someone build me a computer, he siad it had all the
> licenses. wrong.
>
> MS said I did not have a valid license when I went to do
> a down load.
>
> I went out and purchased a new XP-Home addition OS.
>
> Can I install this over the old XP system that is on this
> computer, and will the product be registered?
>
> Please advise.
>
> Tanks!
>
> Frank

[Harry Ohrn]

If the invalid system is Windows XP Pro then you will need to wipe it out
and install XP Home because you can't install XP Home over XP Pro.

If the previous version was XP Home then you can download this little app
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/keyfinder.exe . Run it and it will display
your installed Product Key. Select Options->Change Windows Key. Insert your
new valid key from the version you just bought. Reboot.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Frank" > wrote in message
...
> I had someone build me a computer, he siad it had all the
> licenses. wrong.
>
> MS said I did not have a valid license when I went to do
> a down load.
>
> I went out and purchased a new XP-Home addition OS.
>
> Can I install this over the old XP system that is on this
> computer, and will the product be registered?
>
> Please advise.
>
> Tanks!
>
> Frank