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How to upgrade an illegal copy of XP SP1 to a legal copy of SP2?
A friend of mine just discovered that his company's five computers have pirated copies of Windows XP Pro SP1. They cannot find the person who sold them the computers with the pirated XP. They would like to purchase and upgrade to XP Pro SP2. They know they need to purchase the full version of XP. The challenge is what is the easiest way to upgrade without reformatting their computers and re-installing XP and all their programs and data. I'm asuming they cannot change the XP SP1 key code to the code of XP SP2 they purchase. If they cannot then they probably need XP SP1, if so where can one purchase XP SP1. Is there an easy way to install XP SP2 on top of the pirated SP1?
BTW, the friend did not know he was getting pirated software; just a great price.
Thank you for your quick response,
Daniel
BTW, the friend did not know he was getting pirated software; just a great price.
Thank you for your quick response,
Daniel
ASKER
We realize we will need to purchase a new full copy for each machine. The question is how to install the legal XP SP2 on top of the SP1?
Daniel
Daniel
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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He's not talking about just installing SP2, he talking about installing a legal new full version of XP that includes SP2. Usually an in-place upgrade or repair installation works in these cases. Follow the same information for doing a repair install for a corrupted Windows such as found at...
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315341
The only things you should lose, would be restore points. Documents and programs should be ok, but it never hurts to back them up first.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315341
The only things you should lose, would be restore points. Documents and programs should be ok, but it never hurts to back them up first.
ASKER
In this case a call to MS Presales resolved the issue.
For future reference -
To upgrade an illegal copy of XP SP1 to a legal copy of SP2
On the problem computer go to Windows Update, Run the MS Validate program, an non-valid copy message will appear. Instructions will be provided to upgrade to
a valid copy for the the fee of $149. Once the upgrade has been purchased the operating system will upgraded online to a fully legal copy. A legal CD will be delivered to the purchaser in 7-10 days.
For future reference -
To upgrade an illegal copy of XP SP1 to a legal copy of SP2
On the problem computer go to Windows Update, Run the MS Validate program, an non-valid copy message will appear. Instructions will be provided to upgrade to
a valid copy for the the fee of $149. Once the upgrade has been purchased the operating system will upgraded online to a fully legal copy. A legal CD will be delivered to the purchaser in 7-10 days.
most likely they will ask you to purchase a full copy of the Windows XP