I replaced my hard drive and put it xp pro. because I didnt have copy of home edition?

Question

How can I get it to be genuine if the product code thats on the home coputer is for xp home edition..would I just call microsoft?

Answer 1

Windows XP Professional can only be installed if you have a product key for Windows XP Professional with you. This leads me to assume that you, yourself, did not install Windows XP Professional yourself -- but had somebody else do it for you with their own copy of the software. This is the most likely reason I could think of as to why you are attempting to use the XP Home Edition product key instead of the XP Professional one.

If this is true, then the source of your problem is that you do not own a license for Windows XP Professional, and you need to purchase one if you want to use it.

Otherwise, you need to find your original Windows XP Home edition and install it, instead (or have your friend who installed XP Pro do it for you if they are willing).

If you no longer have that CD, you might want to contact the manufacturer of your computer to see about getting a replacement CD for installing Windows XP Home Edition on your computer.

If that is not an option, it is starting to sound like you need to purchase another license for it altogether and use the new product key that comes with it, instead. Sorry about that :(

If it is not affordable, do not forget free alternatives to Windows such as Linux -- unless this is not a vialbe option because you already own a lot of software that is designed for Windows, only, of course. I hear good things about Ubuntu.

Best of luck,

Riven

Answer 2

Go to http://www.belarc.com

Download and run the Belarc Advisor

In the report it gives you it will show the Microsoft XP Product Key in the "Software Licenses" section. Write it down and keep it in a safe place.

Using a "home edition" key code for XP Pro will only get your "Pro" version rejected by Microsoft.

Hope this helps.