I have a sony vaio laptop given to me when my dad got a new computer. The original OS was Home edition, but he had his friend clean install Windows at some point and Professional was loaded on. The computer is setup very nice....virus control, microsoft office, etc. However, I am receiving a message that says the Windows is not genuine. I have two options: I have ordered the recovery discs from sony to clean install home edition (which i have a product key for.) Or I can pay $150 to license the current Professional version. It seems the professional version is better suited for me because i will be connecting wireless internet in many different places (i am going to college). Also, the vaio recovery discs have vaio specific software (hotkeys, memory stick apps, etc.) In other words i am using a vaio that doesn't know it is a vaio, if that makes any sense. I want to install the vaio software on, so this is a factor as well (will professional allow this is my ?) Sorry its so long thanks!
2006-08-07 05:52:54 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
I am leaning towards purchasing Pro....any thoughts on installing the Vaio software to Pro? I think it should be okay, i just dont want to plunk $150 if wont work good, when i could use home for free.
2006-08-07 06:08:42 · update #1
Does your computer currently have Service Pack 2 installed? I've seen a similar problem with genuine advantage before Service Pack 2 was installed.
Right click on my computer and go to properties. You should see "Service Pack 2" under the system heading. If not, install it from the site below and it might fix your problem.
Otherwise, Home edition really isn't that different.
2006-08-07 05:59:48 · answer #1 · answered by Me 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have XP with SP2. It is a copy. The serial numbers work. But I don't know how much (many times) of a copy it is. I am pretty sure that if it is a copy, or at least downloaded, not from original, then you will always get a "not genuine" statement. Yes, this sucks, and you can't get automatic updates. I don't think it is that important. Just turn off automatic update, and if you need to get an update, just look for it separately. Windows XP with SP2 is better, has more features thatn Home, but it isn't critical to the operation or performance of the computer. However, having a store bought genuine real copy is always best. If you can afford it, but not really necessary. Your system will be fine.
2006-08-15 03:35:35 · answer #2 · answered by William P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have the money- do the license purchase. Its a more powerful OS and more suited for you. I would buy Pro over Home any day if I had to use XP... but I stick to my 2000 boxes- have too many copies of that to start over with XP on all...
There are rumors of patches out there that fix things until M$ changes the WGA process... so its better to just bite the bullet and let them win...
2006-08-07 06:01:11 · answer #3 · answered by worxsigns 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you like pro better there are a couple ways around the valid key
if you turn on automatic updates that bypasses the need for a key. windows will automatically get them. the only thing i think you cant get but i dont remember for sure are the service packs. as far as those go if you have a friend who has a valid OS they can download and save the service pack for you burn it on disk or put it on a flash drive. good luck
2006-08-07 06:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by ian6868 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go to home edition.. There is very little that is noticeable to differentiate the two anyway.. You may have a performance increase as well because you will have less "services" running all of the time!!
2006-08-07 05:57:57 · answer #5 · answered by Jimmy Ryan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would go with the Pro edition. The edition are very similiar except for the networking components and a few other things.
2006-08-07 05:58:10 · answer #6 · answered by CaptJack 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
home edition is almost the same as professional, you can just buy anti virus program or microsoft word (or download illegally)
2006-08-07 05:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by Ryan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
xp is much better
2006-08-15 01:00:02 · answer #8 · answered by R.A.W G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋