xp pro - upgrade or full

[M Temperton]

Hi folks
I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated (in
fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP Pro
(but thats another story)

What I need some advice on is -
1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
installing / activating Home Ed
2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP Pro
Full version??

4. Any other suggestions welcome

Thanks in Advance

Martin

[Eds]

"M Temperton" > wrote in message
...
> Hi folks
> I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated
(in
> fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP Pro
> (but thats another story)
>
> What I need some advice on is -
> 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
> installing / activating Home Ed
> 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
> 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP
Pro
> Full version??
>
> 4. Any other suggestions welcome
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
> Martin
>
Most likley Xp home has already been installed, possibly even activated. I
should contact Dell. If they were meant to provide you with Pro then they
ought to be able to upgrade you cheaply if not free. Why do you need Pro?

Eds

[HillBillyBuddhist]

"Eds" > wrote in message
...
|
| "M Temperton" > wrote in message
| ...
| > Hi folks
| > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated
| (in
| > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP
Pro
| > (but thats another story)
| >
| > What I need some advice on is -
| > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
| > installing / activating Home Ed
| > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
| > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP
| Pro
| > Full version??
| >
| > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
| >
| > Thanks in Advance
| >
| > Martin
| >
| Most likley Xp home has already been installed, possibly even activated. I
| should contact Dell. If they were meant to provide you with Pro then they
| ought to be able to upgrade you cheaply if not free. Why do you need Pro?
|
| Eds
|
|

Yes Dells (I have two, desktop and laptop) come preinstalled and activated.
No user intervention is required.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details. :)

Remove shoes to E-mail.

[Bruce]

My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're system
is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your job that
has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.

Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP doesn't
require activating. The start up routine may be called "activation" but
it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are. If you
really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP Home.
I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this nature is
perfectly fine.

--
Bruce
"M Temperton" > wrote in message
...
> Hi folks
> I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated
(in
> fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP Pro
> (but thats another story)
>
> What I need some advice on is -
> 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
> installing / activating Home Ed
> 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
> 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP
Pro
> Full version??
>
> 4. Any other suggestions welcome
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
> Martin
>
>
>

[Eds]

"Bruce" > wrote in message
...
> My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
> difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're system
> is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your job
that
> has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.
>
> Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP doesn't
> require activating.

Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version of XP
home, and it did have to be activated.

The start up routine may be called "activation" but
> it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are. If
you
> really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP
Home.
> I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this nature is
> perfectly fine.
>
> --
> Bruce
> "M Temperton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi folks
> > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated
> (in
> > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP
Pro
> > (but thats another story)
> >
> > What I need some advice on is -
> > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
> > installing / activating Home Ed
> > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
> > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP
> Pro
> > Full version??
> >
> > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
> >
> > Thanks in Advance
> >
> > Martin
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[M Temperton]

Well I really need Pro for networking , in particular Remote Desktop and
security. Regarding Dell involvement I ordered Home , so no error on their
part. The machine was ordered for someone else with Home Ed in mind.


"Eds" > wrote in message
...
>
> "M Temperton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi folks
> > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not activated
> (in
> > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP
Pro
> > (but thats another story)
> >
> > What I need some advice on is -
> > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
> > installing / activating Home Ed
> > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
> > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using XP
> Pro
> > Full version??
> >
> > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
> >
> > Thanks in Advance
> >
> > Martin
> >
> Most likley Xp home has already been installed, possibly even activated. I
> should contact Dell. If they were meant to provide you with Pro then they
> ought to be able to upgrade you cheaply if not free. Why do you need Pro?
>
> Eds
>
>

[M Temperton]

Thanks to everyone for their input but I'm still none the wiser. I am aware
of the differences between the 2 o/s 's and why I want Pro - just not sure
of the best way to get from A-B . !?


"Eds" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Bruce" > wrote in message
> ...
> > My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
> > difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're
system
> > is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your job
> that
> > has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.
> >
> > Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP doesn't
> > require activating.
>
> Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version of XP
> home, and it did have to be activated.
>
> The start up routine may be called "activation" but
> > it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are. If
> you
> > really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP
> Home.
> > I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this nature
is
> > perfectly fine.
> >
> > --
> > Bruce
> > "M Temperton" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Hi folks
> > > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not
activated
> > (in
> > > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP
> Pro
> > > (but thats another story)
> > >
> > > What I need some advice on is -
> > > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
> > > installing / activating Home Ed
> > > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
> > > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using
XP
> > Pro
> > > Full version??
> > >
> > > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
> > >
> > > Thanks in Advance
> > >
> > > Martin
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Eds]

I would have thought - though this is just a guess - that MS would provide a
Home>Pro upgrade; you might even be able to buy it at PCWorld or somewhere.
As the difference in price is about £80 I think, that's what you might
expect to pay for the upgrade. I see no reason for you to pay more than
that.

This is definitely the way to go given that you already have Home installed
(probably with SP1, so you'll have to make sure the Pro upgrade includes SP1
as well)

Eds

"M Temperton" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks to everyone for their input but I'm still none the wiser. I am
aware
> of the differences between the 2 o/s 's and why I want Pro - just not
sure
> of the best way to get from A-B . !?
>
>
> "Eds" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Bruce" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
> > > difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're
> system
> > > is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your
job
> > that
> > > has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.
> > >
> > > Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP
doesn't
> > > require activating.
> >
> > Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version of
XP
> > home, and it did have to be activated.
> >
> > The start up routine may be called "activation" but
> > > it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are.
If
> > you
> > > really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP
> > Home.
> > > I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this
nature
> is
> > > perfectly fine.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Bruce
> > > "M Temperton" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Hi folks
> > > > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not
> activated
> > > (in
> > > > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had
XP
> > Pro
> > > > (but thats another story)
> > > >
> > > > What I need some advice on is -
> > > > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
> > > > installing / activating Home Ed
> > > > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
> > > > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using
> XP
> > > Pro
> > > > Full version??
> > > >
> > > > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
> > > >
> > > > Thanks in Advance
> > > >
> > > > Martin
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Sharon F]

On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 16:04:57 +0100, M Temperton wrote:

> Thanks to everyone for their input but I'm still none the wiser. I am aware
> of the differences between the 2 o/s 's and why I want Pro - just not sure
> of the best way to get from A-B . !?
>
>
> "Eds" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Bruce" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
>>> difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're
> system
>>> is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your job
>> that
>>> has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.
>>>
>>> Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP doesn't
>>> require activating.
>>
>> Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version of XP
>> home, and it did have to be activated.
>>
>> The start up routine may be called "activation" but
>>> it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are. If
>> you
>>> really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP
>> Home.
>>> I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this nature
> is
>>> perfectly fine.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Bruce
>>> "M Temperton" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>> > Hi folks
>>> > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not
> activated
>>> (in
>>> > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had XP
>> Pro
>>> > (but thats another story)
>>> >
>>> > What I need some advice on is -
>>> > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
>>> > installing / activating Home Ed
>>> > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
>>> > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using
> XP
>>> Pro
>>> > Full version??
>>> >
>>> > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
>>> >
>>> > Thanks in Advance
>>> >
>>> > Martin
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>
>>

You may want to contact Dell to see if they have an OEM XP Pro disk
available for that system. Reason: It will include the drivers for the
hardware included with that model. When I ordered my daughter's Dell laptop
they offered a choice between Home and Pro so it is very likely that they
can help you out on this.

If not - yes, you can install XP Pro if that's what you prefer. Would
suggest upgrading the existing XP Home since that will keep the Dell
drivers and tools in place. Also it will preserve any bundled software Dell
shipped with that system. You could use the XP Upgrade CD for this.

Your other choice is to install XP Pro clean but you may run into some
kinks involving the Dell hardware and will need to chase down those
drivers. Depending on the check system Dell uses, you may not be able to
get the extra bundled software installed. If the bundled software isn't
anything that you use, that may not be a problem.

If you go this route, get the Full version CD if you do not have a
qualifying copy of a previous version of Windows. The XP upgrade CD will
require "seeing" that CD before completing the setup. Specialized OEM
copies of previous versions will often fail for this step. Dell provides
some pretty nice CDs (usually the same as the retail CDs) so it is very
possible that the Dell WinXP Home CD you have now would work but no
guarantees.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[Perdita X. Nitt]

Eds wrote:
> "Bruce" > wrote in message
> ...
>> My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
>> difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're
>> system is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network
>> at your job that has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.
>>
>> Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP
>> doesn't require activating.
>
> Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version
> of XP home, and it did have to be activated.
>

You're missing the salient word 'preinstalled'. 'Retail' OEMs do require
activation, obviously

--
Perdita X. Dream

Please help us to help you
http://groups.google.com
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Please note that the reply address is fake.
Keep all posts to the groups as private requests for assistance
(i.e. email/IM) cannot be acknowledged. Thank you.

[Perdita X. Nitt]

Eds wrote:
> I would have thought - though this is just a guess - that MS would
> provide a Home>Pro upgrade; you might even be able to buy it at
> PCWorld or somewhere. As the difference in price is about £80 I
> think, that's what you might expect to pay for the upgrade. I see no
> reason for you to pay more than that.

Then you thought wrong. There is no upgrade from Home to Pro, save the
standard Pro upgrade which is about £200. You might see no reason to pay
more than that, but I'm afraid you're 2½ times out.


>
> This is definitely the way to go given that you already have Home
> installed (probably with SP1, so you'll have to make sure the Pro
> upgrade includes SP1 as well)
>
> Eds
>
> "M Temperton" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Thanks to everyone for their input but I'm still none the wiser. I
>> am aware of the differences between the 2 o/s 's and why I want Pro
>> - just not sure of the best way to get from A-B . !?
>>
>>
>> "Eds" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Bruce" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only
>>>> real difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If
>>>> you're system is a home system and you don't need to connect to a
>>>> network at your job that has a domain, then you don't really need
>>>> Pro.
>>>>
>>>> Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP
>>>> doesn't require activating.
>>>
>>> Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version
>>> of XP home, and it did have to be activated.
>>>
>>> The start up routine may be called "activation" but
>>>> it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions
>>>> are. If you really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade
>>>> of XP Pro over XP Home. I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade
>>>> installs, but one of this nature is perfectly fine.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Bruce
>>>> "M Temperton" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> Hi folks
>>>>> I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not
>>>>> activated (in fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really
>>>>> should have had XP Pro (but thats another story)
>>>>>
>>>>> What I need some advice on is -
>>>>> 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
>>>>> installing / activating Home Ed
>>>>> 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
>>>>> 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro
>>>>> using XP Pro Full version??
>>>>>
>>>>> 4. Any other suggestions welcome
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in Advance
>>>>>
>>>>> Martin



--
Perdita X. Dream

Please help us to help you
http://groups.google.com
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Please note that the reply address is fake.
Keep all posts to the groups as private requests for assistance
(i.e. email/IM) cannot be acknowledged. Thank you.

[Martin Temperton]

Thanks everyone - especially Sharon F - I've purchased XP Full Version which
will cover most options.
"Sharon F" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 16:04:57 +0100, M Temperton wrote:
>
> > Thanks to everyone for their input but I'm still none the wiser. I am
aware
> > of the differences between the 2 o/s 's and why I want Pro - just not
sure
> > of the best way to get from A-B . !?
> >
> >
> > "Eds" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >>
> >> "Bruce" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >>> My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
> >>> difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're
> > system
> >>> is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your
job
> >> that
> >>> has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.
> >>>
> >>> Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP
doesn't
> >>> require activating.
> >>
> >> Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version of
XP
> >> home, and it did have to be activated.
> >>
> >> The start up routine may be called "activation" but
> >>> it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are.
If
> >> you
> >>> really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP
> >> Home.
> >>> I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this
nature
> > is
> >>> perfectly fine.
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Bruce
> >>> "M Temperton" > wrote in message
> >>> ...
> >>> > Hi folks
> >>> > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not
> > activated
> >>> (in
> >>> > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had
XP
> >> Pro
> >>> > (but thats another story)
> >>> >
> >>> > What I need some advice on is -
> >>> > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
> >>> > installing / activating Home Ed
> >>> > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
> >>> > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using
> > XP
> >>> Pro
> >>> > Full version??
> >>> >
> >>> > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
> >>> >
> >>> > Thanks in Advance
> >>> >
> >>> > Martin
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
>
> You may want to contact Dell to see if they have an OEM XP Pro disk
> available for that system. Reason: It will include the drivers for the
> hardware included with that model. When I ordered my daughter's Dell
laptop
> they offered a choice between Home and Pro so it is very likely that they
> can help you out on this.
>
> If not - yes, you can install XP Pro if that's what you prefer. Would
> suggest upgrading the existing XP Home since that will keep the Dell
> drivers and tools in place. Also it will preserve any bundled software
Dell
> shipped with that system. You could use the XP Upgrade CD for this.
>
> Your other choice is to install XP Pro clean but you may run into some
> kinks involving the Dell hardware and will need to chase down those
> drivers. Depending on the check system Dell uses, you may not be able to
> get the extra bundled software installed. If the bundled software isn't
> anything that you use, that may not be a problem.
>
> If you go this route, get the Full version CD if you do not have a
> qualifying copy of a previous version of Windows. The XP upgrade CD will
> require "seeing" that CD before completing the setup. Specialized OEM
> copies of previous versions will often fail for this step. Dell provides
> some pretty nice CDs (usually the same as the retail CDs) so it is very
> possible that the Dell WinXP Home CD you have now would work but no
> guarantees.
>
> --
> Sharon F
> MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[Sharon F]

On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 00:37:30 +0100, Martin Temperton wrote:

> Thanks everyone - especially Sharon F - I've purchased XP Full Version which
> will cover most options.
> "Sharon F" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 16:04:57 +0100, M Temperton wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks to everyone for their input but I'm still none the wiser. I am
> aware
>>> of the differences between the 2 o/s 's and why I want Pro - just not
> sure
>>> of the best way to get from A-B . !?
>>>
>>>
>>> "Eds" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> "Bruce" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> My input here is first, why do you think you need Pro. The only real
>>>>> difference in Pro is additional networking and security. If you're
>>> system
>>>>> is a home system and you don't need to connect to a network at your
> job
>>>> that
>>>>> has a domain, then you don't really need Pro.
>>>>>
>>>>> Machines such as Dells come preinstalled. An OEM version of XP
> doesn't
>>>>> require activating.
>>>>
>>>> Not true. I recently built my father a system using the OEM version of
> XP
>>>> home, and it did have to be activated.
>>>>
>>>> The start up routine may be called "activation" but
>>>>> it's not doing its activation with Microsoft as retail versions are.
> If
>>>> you
>>>>> really feel like you need Pro, you can do an upgrade of XP Pro over XP
>>>> Home.
>>>>> I'm usually not a fan of doing upgrade installs, but one of this
> nature
>>> is
>>>>> perfectly fine.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Bruce
>>>>> "M Temperton" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>> > Hi folks
>>>>> > I've just taken delivery of a Dell with XP Home Ed OEM os not
>>> activated
>>>>> (in
>>>>> > fact the whole kit is still in the box) and really should have had
> XP
>>>> Pro
>>>>> > (but thats another story)
>>>>> >
>>>>> > What I need some advice on is -
>>>>> > 1. Should I buy XP Pro full version and do a clean install without
>>>>> > installing / activating Home Ed
>>>>> > 2. Install Home Ed then buy XP Pro Upgrade version
>>>>> > 3. Or as another alternative can I upgrade from Home Ed to Pro using
>>> XP
>>>>> Pro
>>>>> > Full version??
>>>>> >
>>>>> > 4. Any other suggestions welcome
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Thanks in Advance
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Martin
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>> You may want to contact Dell to see if they have an OEM XP Pro disk
>> available for that system. Reason: It will include the drivers for the
>> hardware included with that model. When I ordered my daughter's Dell
> laptop
>> they offered a choice between Home and Pro so it is very likely that they
>> can help you out on this.
>>
>> If not - yes, you can install XP Pro if that's what you prefer. Would
>> suggest upgrading the existing XP Home since that will keep the Dell
>> drivers and tools in place. Also it will preserve any bundled software
> Dell
>> shipped with that system. You could use the XP Upgrade CD for this.
>>
>> Your other choice is to install XP Pro clean but you may run into some
>> kinks involving the Dell hardware and will need to chase down those
>> drivers. Depending on the check system Dell uses, you may not be able to
>> get the extra bundled software installed. If the bundled software isn't
>> anything that you use, that may not be a problem.
>>
>> If you go this route, get the Full version CD if you do not have a
>> qualifying copy of a previous version of Windows. The XP upgrade CD will
>> require "seeing" that CD before completing the setup. Specialized OEM
>> copies of previous versions will often fail for this step. Dell provides
>> some pretty nice CDs (usually the same as the retail CDs) so it is very
>> possible that the Dell WinXP Home CD you have now would work but no
>> guarantees.
>>


You're welcome, Martin!

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User