problems with xp install, was upgraded from home to pro

I'm trying to do a reinstall on a xp pro machine for a client. When I put in the product key it says it's invalid. The key is the one that magic jelly bean pulled before the reformat. I called the customer and was instructed that they originally had xp home on it and upgraded to pro. Do I need to install home first and then upgrade or is there special software for the upgrade? If so where do I lay my hands on the upgrade disc? The customer has informed me they don't have any software for the machine.

 

Then, how did customer upgrade from Home to Pro?

 

What are you re installing, do you have the xp pro disk?

 

They HAD the software said they downloaded it from microsoft I think. They said they have no idea where it is now.

 

I'm trying to do a fresh install of windows. They don't have any windows discs. I've got a good copy of xp pro and xp home here I can use though.

 

I used the xp pro retail disc and when i enter the product key from magic jelly bean it says it's not valid.

 

If they down;loaded it from MS (?) then your customer should be able to contact them to get the product key. MS should have some record of the download and be able to supply them with the re install info.

One last thing, the installation you are doing is this the full version or the xp pro upgrade. I'm thinking if they have the product key for the upgrade that key will not work on the full version.

 

I was installing xp pro from scratch, not upgrade. They did an upgrade and now have infections and needed a fresh install. I have the product key but it must be for the upgrade; i was unaware that the product key for an upgrade is different than the full version (stupid Microsoft).

So do i need to install xp home then run the xp pro upgrade or is there some way around that? If that is the case were would i get the upgrade media?

 

Most retail stores have xp pro upgrade. first you should make sure you can install xp home before you by an upgrade.

 

They have already purchased the upgrade it was installed previous to their problems. I have the upgrade product key, i just need to know the process for installing it and where i could get a copy of the media without purchasing any additional licenses since it was already purchased once. Can I go to microsoft and download it if I have the product key? Once I have the software do i need to install xp home first then run the upgrade or is there a way to just go straight to xp pro?

 

As long as you have the upgrade version of pro you have to have a prior operating system installed. The only way to avoid that is to purchase the full version of pro. As far as getting the media check MS website and see if they have a download area, you may have to call their customer support and explain your situation to them, they may be able to assist you in reinstalling the software from their site, like I said before they should have a record of a prior download.

 

Ok that's kinda what I thought, but I didn't want to chase dead ends.

Thanks a million, will let u know if i have more problems!