XP Pro Upgrade

[cmdridq]

I've got a very old version of xp pro (sp1a) running on a desktop that I have had for about 10 years. I tried to upgrade the o/s at the MS update site, but it put the whammy on me, saying my copy is not legit. So I called MS, hoping to be able to pay them to make things legit, but the guy says they don't support xp anymore, and he could only sell me a win 7 upgrade, which I don't want. So I looked on ebay and there are people selling xp pro sp3 upgrades and full versions. Which do I need, a full version or an upgrade? In either case, can I install it over the old system that I having running right now? Which release should I get, 2 or 3?

Can someone give me a quick point in the right direction?

 

[JackMDS]

Since your system has some sort of problem you are probably safer with gettting Full SP3.

The full version can do Upgrade, or Fresh Install. So whatever the case is you will have the proper solution.

 

[lupi]

Unless the cost difference is huge, I'd get a sp3 copy just to make the installl quicker. Full version would be a littlle nicer, but upgrade can either do double install or registry mod to work the same as the full for install.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

I've got a very old version of xp pro (sp1a) running on a desktop that I have had for about 10 years. I tried to upgrade the o/s at the MS update site, but it put the whammy on me, saying my copy is not legit. So I called MS, hoping to be able to pay them to make things legit, but the guy says they don't support xp anymore, and he could only sell me a win 7 upgrade, which I don't want. So I looked on ebay and there are people selling xp pro sp3 upgrades and full versions. Which do I need, a full version or an upgrade? In either case, can I install it over the old system that I having running right now? Which release should I get, 2 or 3?

Can someone give me a quick point in the right direction?

You should get Windows 7, not a patched ten year old system that will soon be out of support anyway.

Win XP is dead, if you don't like win 7 (even though it's a much better OS) then perhaps you should consider not using a computer?

 

[corkyg]

Not supporting XP Pro? That's odd - I got a 13 ietm auto update in mine this morning - direct from MS.

But, having said that, Win 7 is great. I have it on all systems but this one, and I will have this one eventually.

The main thing that keeps me from it is installing over 50 programs, scanner, 3 printers and an external burner, plus lots of customization.

I have considered a direct upgrade to Vista, a couple of days debugging, and then a direct upgrade from Vista to 7. All of which would be done on a duplicate HDD.

 

[cmdridq]

Since your system has some sort of problem you are probably safer with gettting Full SP3.

The full version can do Upgrade, or Fresh Install. So whatever the case is you will have the proper solution.

OK, thanks Jack, I'll do that. If I do a fresh install, will it destroy any data files, mail settings, etc., that I already have on the system?

 

[cmdridq]

You should get Windows 7, not a patched ten year old system that will soon be out of support anyway.

Win XP is dead, if you don't like win 7 (even though it's a much better OS) then perhaps you should consider not using a computer?

Why stop there? Maybe I should just jump in front of a train?

 

[Lemon law]

Actully no real problem, if you had the full SP1 Version, stick to your guns and demand that microsoft send you a free upgrade disk that contains SP2.

Or if you want you can try the other strategy, just borrow a newer XP install disk that has either SP2 or SP3, reinstall windows XP on tour computer, and you have 30 days to do the updates. Of course the newer install will have a newer COA, but if your COA is still still valid, you can change it to your older always valid COA. Then go through the is it valid or pirated stuff process, and read Microsoft the riot act when your version is always valid.

It may be unpleasant and you will have to deal with some microsoft aholes, but I had them legally dead to rights, and I forced microsoft to sent me a new disk with a newer COA free of charge. As long as you bought windows XP full, its always valid as long as it not in use on another computer.

Maybe at some future time microsoft will lease their OS to you for some limited time, but they can't change the contract when they sold you the right to you to use it in perpetuity.

As for me I am still using XP, and have yet to get my money's worth. Vista is a piece of shit, and I have little reason to conclude WIN 7 offers me anything worth the money.

 

[JackMDS]

You can do repair install of XP.

Get SP3 disk and do this.

Refresh XP Installation.

Boot from the XP SP3 original CD. Skip the first screen that offers Console Repair, and continue as though you install a New XP.

After you Agree etc., the new install screen will come on and would detect the current XP installation.

Choose the Repair option by Pressing R for Repair.

Using this method would take about 45Min. and you will have a Refreshed Installation of XP while keeping all your data, application, and XP configuration intact.
------------------

P.S. If you made changes to WinXP Security setting (Like Firewall special permission), you have to look over them after the refresh since they might revert to the Default.

Just to be sure keep a complete backup of the current system on an external USB Drive.

 

[lupi]

Actully no real problem, if you had the full SP1 Version, stick to your guns and demand that microsoft send you a free upgrade disk that contains SP2.

Or if you want you can try the other strategy, just borrow a newer XP install disk that has either SP2 or SP3, reinstall windows XP on tour computer, and you have 30 days to do the updates. Of course the newer install will have a newer COA, but if your COA is still still valid, you can change it to your older always valid COA. Then go through the is it valid or pirated stuff process, and read Microsoft the riot act when your version is always valid.

It may be unpleasant and you will have to deal with some microsoft aholes, but I had them legally dead to rights, and I forced microsoft to sent me a new disk with a newer COA free of charge. As long as you bought windows XP full, its always valid as long as it not in use on another computer.

Maybe at some future time microsoft will lease their OS to you for some limited time, but they can't change the contract when they sold you the right to you to use it in perpetuity.

As for me I am still using XP, and have yet to get my money's worth. Vista is a piece of shit, and I have little reason to conclude WIN 7 offers me anything worth the money.

thinking you didn't fully read what he wrote.

 

[cmdridq]

OK, I got my new XP SP3 CD from ebay. It looks legit, there is a product key, MS packaging, etc. But there is no instructions on how to proceed. I've never done this before so I need a basic cookbook approach to keep me out of trouble. Do I want to do a replace or upgrade, or what? I don't want to ask a bunch of dumb questions, can someone point to a decent place to help me figure this out?

 

[Arkaign]

http://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Windows-XP-%22Repair-Install"

or

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[cmdridq]

Thanks. They don't specifically mention installing sp3. Is it OK to go straight from sp1a to sp3, without doing sp2?

 

[Arkaign]

Thanks. They don't specifically mention installing sp3. Is it OK to go straight from sp1a to sp3, without doing sp2?

Yes, if you're installing from a SP3-packed disc, it will go through as normal but you'll see SP3 when done. Nothing additional needs to be taken into account during the processes described in the links.

 

[0roo0roo]

Not supporting XP Pro? That's odd - I got a 13 ietm auto update in mine this morning - direct from MS.

But, having said that, Win 7 is great. I have it on all systems but this one, and I will have this one eventually.

The main thing that keeps me from it is installing over 50 programs, scanner, 3 printers and an external burner, plus lots of customization.

I have considered a direct upgrade to Vista, a couple of days debugging, and then a direct upgrade from Vista to 7. All of which would be done on a duplicate HDD.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/products/lifecycle

if he's been running sp1 he's been running vulnerable for a while now...06 discontinued

 

[dawks]

Not supporting XP Pro? That's odd - I got a 13 ietm auto update in mine this morning - direct from MS.

But, having said that, Win 7 is great. I have it on all systems but this one, and I will have this one eventually.

The main thing that keeps me from it is installing over 50 programs, scanner, 3 printers and an external burner, plus lots of customization.

I have considered a direct upgrade to Vista, a couple of days debugging, and then a direct upgrade from Vista to 7. All of which would be done on a duplicate HDD.

They are only supporting XP SP3 and higher (with patches). Since the OP is on SP1, hes SOL for help. I'd be surprised if they were even offering phone support for SP3, there may be a time where they will only provide security fixes and nothing else.

 

[SimMike2]

I have considered a direct upgrade to Vista, a couple of days debugging, and then a direct upgrade from Vista to 7. All of which would be done on a duplicate HDD.

The only way to go. Or at least image your current install with solid imaging software that you know you can safely restore from.

 

[cmdridq]

I did the upgrade, it seems to be working for the most part. Does SP3 have a decent AV now, I was using AVG previously in SP1? What about a firewall, do I need one, does it already have one? I was using Sygate before. I'm getting an "IE has encountered an error and needs to shut down now" message on certain websites; it never did that before. Do I need to change some setting?

 

[corkyg]

Consider Microsoft Security Essentials. A new version has just been released. It has its own firewall, and is very efficient with updates, etc.

 

[cmdridq]

So, does SP3 have a builtin AV or do I need to get one?

 

[lxskllr]

No, XP doesn't have anti-malware at all. It doesn't have much of anything useful tbh...

 

[dawks]

I did the upgrade, it seems to be working for the most part. Does SP3 have a decent AV now, I was using AVG previously in SP1? What about a firewall, do I need one, does it already have one? I was using Sygate before. I'm getting an "IE has encountered an error and needs to shut down now" message on certain websites; it never did that before. Do I need to change some setting?

There is no anti-virus or anti-malware in Windows XP by default. corkyg suggested Microsoft Security Essentials which is free, small, and does anti-virus and anti-malware (it will do network level scanning as well on Vista and 7). Windows XP SP3 turns the Windows Firewall (built in) on by default. If you're behind a router, the software firewall is not super critical, but helps.

Are you running IE8? There will be no IE9 for Windows XP. IE might be crashing because if a plugin, I'd try and disable as many as possible and see if that helps. I'd suggest moving to Firefox or Chrome, both are more secure. In terms of performance, and security, I think Chrome has the lead right now.

 

[Oyeve]

No, XP doesn't have anti-malware at all. It doesn't have much of anything useful tbh...

Stop hatin' on XP. Its still a good OS. OP, just get AVGFree.

 

[lxskllr]

Stop hatin' on XP. Its still a good OS. OP, just get AVGFree.

A second rate A/V for a second rate O/S. At least it's a good match :^D

 

[Diogenes2]

No, XP doesn't have anti-malware at all.

Niether does Vista or Win 7 ..

But as noted, you can get Microsoft Security Essentials for free and it works just great ..