Upgrading to Retail WinXP Pro on top of an OEM Installation of Hom

I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP Home
Edition - obviously, an OEM license.

I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need to know if
I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP Professional, or if
I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP Professional.

As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't provide any sort
of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support from Sony
(it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no desire to do any
more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding this laptop.

So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade license for
WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home Edition, or
must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?

A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in case you
should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be able to
reinstal
I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons

"Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
>I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP Home
> Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
>
> I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need to know
> if
> I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP Professional, or
> if
> I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
> Professional.
>
> As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't provide any
> sort
> of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support from Sony
> (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no desire to do
> any
> more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding this
> laptop.
>
> So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade license for
> WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home Edition, or
> must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?

DL,

Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I do have the
original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh install; not a
lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of serial
updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on them is a pain
so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.

I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons, although I
haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have an idea of
the parameters I have to work within.

Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would like to use
as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server and internal
http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a month or so
which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers left who offer
WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for that
currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other system.
The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to use or it
could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.

Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro, her
system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a WinXP Pro
network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch with the
link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with WinXP H-E
(which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I will explore
the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm not quite as
dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary costs if
avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide that I want to
have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would need to
upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is the Sony with
the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules for
plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in exactly the
same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade path was
feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would know that I
needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too much in the
way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.

Cheers,

Shyster

"DL" wrote:

> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in case you
> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be able to
> reinstal
> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
>
> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP Home
> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
> >
> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need to know
> > if
> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP Professional, or
> > if
> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
> > Professional.
> >
> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't provide any
> > sort
> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support from Sony
> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no desire to do
> > any
> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding this
> > laptop.
> >
> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade license for
> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home Edition, or
> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
>
>
>

Theres no reason to upgrade to Pro simply to run on a network
I currently have a network of win2kpro, winxppro, winxphome (sony) & Vista
Business also media server box all via a netgear wired/wireless print server
router.
They all run together without a problem, its just that initial setup
requires manual config on the earlier o/s rather than a wizard

"Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5911761D-E131-4FA0-942C-4866A2C5A255@microsoft.com...
> DL,
>
> Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I do have
> the
> original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh install; not a
> lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of serial
> updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on them is a
> pain
> so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.
>
> I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons, although I
> haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have an idea
> of
> the parameters I have to work within.
>
> Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would like to
> use
> as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server and
> internal
> http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a month or so
> which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers left who
> offer
> WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for that
> currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other system.
> The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to use or it
> could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.
>
> Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro, her
> system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a WinXP Pro
> network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch with the
> link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with WinXP
> H-E
> (which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I will
> explore
> the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm not quite
> as
> dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary costs if
> avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide that I want
> to
> have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would need to
> upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is the Sony
> with
> the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules for
> plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in exactly the
> same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade path was
> feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would know that
> I
> needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too much in
> the
> way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Shyster
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in case
>> you
>> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be able
>> to
>> reinstal
>> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
>>
>> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
>> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP Home
>> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
>> >
>> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need to
>> > know
>> > if
>> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP Professional,
>> > or
>> > if
>> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
>> > Professional.
>> >
>> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't provide any
>> > sort
>> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support from
>> > Sony
>> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no desire to
>> > do
>> > any
>> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding this
>> > laptop.
>> >
>> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade license for
>> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home Edition,
>> > or
>> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
>>
>>
>>

Again, thanks for the quick reply. Since I (obviously) know next to nothing,
would you by any chance have any useful references to hand that I might
consult - my experience level in general is probably best characterized as
advanced beginner, with a like for detailed explanation of what's going on as
opposed to glib cut-n-paste recipe booklets.

Regards,

Shyster

"DL" wrote:

> Theres no reason to upgrade to Pro simply to run on a network
> I currently have a network of win2kpro, winxppro, winxphome (sony) & Vista
> Business also media server box all via a netgear wired/wireless print server
> router.
> They all run together without a problem, its just that initial setup
> requires manual config on the earlier o/s rather than a wizard
>
> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:5911761D-E131-4FA0-942C-4866A2C5A255@microsoft.com...
> > DL,
> >
> > Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I do have
> > the
> > original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh install; not a
> > lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of serial
> > updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on them is a
> > pain
> > so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.
> >
> > I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons, although I
> > haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have an idea
> > of
> > the parameters I have to work within.
> >
> > Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would like to
> > use
> > as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server and
> > internal
> > http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a month or so
> > which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers left who
> > offer
> > WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for that
> > currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other system.
> > The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to use or it
> > could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.
> >
> > Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro, her
> > system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a WinXP Pro
> > network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch with the
> > link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with WinXP
> > H-E
> > (which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I will
> > explore
> > the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm not quite
> > as
> > dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary costs if
> > avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide that I want
> > to
> > have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would need to
> > upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is the Sony
> > with
> > the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules for
> > plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in exactly the
> > same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade path was
> > feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would know that
> > I
> > needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too much in
> > the
> > way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Shyster
> >
> > "DL" wrote:
> >
> >> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in case
> >> you
> >> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be able
> >> to
> >> reinstal
> >> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
> >>
> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
> >> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP Home
> >> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
> >> >
> >> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need to
> >> > know
> >> > if
> >> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP Professional,
> >> > or
> >> > if
> >> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
> >> > Professional.
> >> >
> >> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't provide any
> >> > sort
> >> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support from
> >> > Sony
> >> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no desire to
> >> > do
> >> > any
> >> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding this
> >> > laptop.
> >> >
> >> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade license for
> >> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home Edition,
> >> > or
> >> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

You might try this - I havent used it
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/

Your main issues maybe Firewall related, depending on what Firewall you use

"Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:78E0E509-17CC-4582-BFDB-EE0B151A5BBC@microsoft.com...
> Again, thanks for the quick reply. Since I (obviously) know next to
> nothing,
> would you by any chance have any useful references to hand that I might
> consult - my experience level in general is probably best characterized as
> advanced beginner, with a like for detailed explanation of what's going on
> as
> opposed to glib cut-n-paste recipe booklets.
>
> Regards,
>
> Shyster
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> Theres no reason to upgrade to Pro simply to run on a network
>> I currently have a network of win2kpro, winxppro, winxphome (sony) &
>> Vista
>> Business also media server box all via a netgear wired/wireless print
>> server
>> router.
>> They all run together without a problem, its just that initial setup
>> requires manual config on the earlier o/s rather than a wizard
>>
>> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:5911761D-E131-4FA0-942C-4866A2C5A255@microsoft.com...
>> > DL,
>> >
>> > Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I do have
>> > the
>> > original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh install;
>> > not a
>> > lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of
>> > serial
>> > updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on them is a
>> > pain
>> > so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.
>> >
>> > I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons, although
>> > I
>> > haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have an
>> > idea
>> > of
>> > the parameters I have to work within.
>> >
>> > Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would like to
>> > use
>> > as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server and
>> > internal
>> > http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a month or
>> > so
>> > which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers left who
>> > offer
>> > WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for that
>> > currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other
>> > system.
>> > The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to use or
>> > it
>> > could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.
>> >
>> > Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro,
>> > her
>> > system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a WinXP
>> > Pro
>> > network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch with
>> > the
>> > link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with WinXP
>> > H-E
>> > (which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I will
>> > explore
>> > the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm not
>> > quite
>> > as
>> > dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary costs
>> > if
>> > avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide that I
>> > want
>> > to
>> > have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would need to
>> > upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is the Sony
>> > with
>> > the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules for
>> > plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in exactly
>> > the
>> > same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade path
>> > was
>> > feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would know
>> > that
>> > I
>> > needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too much in
>> > the
>> > way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.
>> >
>> > Cheers,
>> >
>> > Shyster
>> >
>> > "DL" wrote:
>> >
>> >> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in
>> >> case
>> >> you
>> >> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be
>> >> able
>> >> to
>> >> reinstal
>> >> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
>> >>
>> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP
>> >> >Home
>> >> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
>> >> >
>> >> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need to
>> >> > know
>> >> > if
>> >> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP
>> >> > Professional,
>> >> > or
>> >> > if
>> >> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
>> >> > Professional.
>> >> >
>> >> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't provide
>> >> > any
>> >> > sort
>> >> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support
>> >> > from
>> >> > Sony
>> >> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no desire
>> >> > to
>> >> > do
>> >> > any
>> >> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding this
>> >> > laptop.
>> >> >
>> >> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade license
>> >> > for
>> >> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home
>> >> > Edition,
>> >> > or
>> >> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Thanks. I'll take a look-see through the site - at a first glance, it looks
like it should be technical enough (or more so) for me. The firewall is
another aspect I haven't finished thinking through yet (actually, I've barely
begun) - I was thinking (in very broad-brush terms) about setting up the
surplus desktop I'm going to be using as a general-purpose server machine to
also act as a firewall. Right now internet comes through cable and feeds
into a wireless router that the other computers connect to - the principal
defenses being the ISP (hee, hee), the router itself (a Belkin G-plus MIMO,
with MAC filtering, for what it's worth), and each computer's individual
firewalls/anti-virus (which I've managed to have play nice with each other,
so far).

By the way, I must say that I'm very grateful for your timely help. Thanks.

Shyster

"DL" wrote:

> You might try this - I havent used it
> http://www.windowsnetworking.com/
>
> Your main issues maybe Firewall related, depending on what Firewall you use
>
> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:78E0E509-17CC-4582-BFDB-EE0B151A5BBC@microsoft.com...
> > Again, thanks for the quick reply. Since I (obviously) know next to
> > nothing,
> > would you by any chance have any useful references to hand that I might
> > consult - my experience level in general is probably best characterized as
> > advanced beginner, with a like for detailed explanation of what's going on
> > as
> > opposed to glib cut-n-paste recipe booklets.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Shyster
> >
> > "DL" wrote:
> >
> >> Theres no reason to upgrade to Pro simply to run on a network
> >> I currently have a network of win2kpro, winxppro, winxphome (sony) &
> >> Vista
> >> Business also media server box all via a netgear wired/wireless print
> >> server
> >> router.
> >> They all run together without a problem, its just that initial setup
> >> requires manual config on the earlier o/s rather than a wizard
> >>
> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:5911761D-E131-4FA0-942C-4866A2C5A255@microsoft.com...
> >> > DL,
> >> >
> >> > Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I do have
> >> > the
> >> > original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh install;
> >> > not a
> >> > lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of
> >> > serial
> >> > updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on them is a
> >> > pain
> >> > so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.
> >> >
> >> > I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons, although
> >> > I
> >> > haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have an
> >> > idea
> >> > of
> >> > the parameters I have to work within.
> >> >
> >> > Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would like to
> >> > use
> >> > as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server and
> >> > internal
> >> > http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a month or
> >> > so
> >> > which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers left who
> >> > offer
> >> > WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for that
> >> > currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other
> >> > system.
> >> > The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to use or
> >> > it
> >> > could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.
> >> >
> >> > Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro,
> >> > her
> >> > system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a WinXP
> >> > Pro
> >> > network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch with
> >> > the
> >> > link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with WinXP
> >> > H-E
> >> > (which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I will
> >> > explore
> >> > the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm not
> >> > quite
> >> > as
> >> > dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary costs
> >> > if
> >> > avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide that I
> >> > want
> >> > to
> >> > have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would need to
> >> > upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is the Sony
> >> > with
> >> > the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules for
> >> > plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in exactly
> >> > the
> >> > same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade path
> >> > was
> >> > feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would know
> >> > that
> >> > I
> >> > needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too much in
> >> > the
> >> > way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.
> >> >
> >> > Cheers,
> >> >
> >> > Shyster
> >> >
> >> > "DL" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in
> >> >> case
> >> >> you
> >> >> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be
> >> >> able
> >> >> to
> >> >> reinstal
> >> >> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
> >> >>
> >> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP
> >> >> >Home
> >> >> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need to
> >> >> > know
> >> >> > if
> >> >> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP
> >> >> > Professional,
> >> >> > or
> >> >> > if
> >> >> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
> >> >> > Professional.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't provide
> >> >> > any
> >> >> > sort
> >> >> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support
> >> >> > from
> >> >> > Sony
> >> >> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no desire
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > do
> >> >> > any
> >> >> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding this
> >> >> > laptop.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade license
> >> >> > for
> >> >> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home
> >> >> > Edition,
> >> >> > or
> >> >> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

With Firewalls on the individual PC's, preferably those that block in & out
as apposed to Win default firewall that only blocks in, and a NAT router you
should be fine

"Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F3990509-EDB7-4DC7-9990-07CDA0B58B3F@microsoft.com...
> Thanks. I'll take a look-see through the site - at a first glance, it
> looks
> like it should be technical enough (or more so) for me. The firewall is
> another aspect I haven't finished thinking through yet (actually, I've
> barely
> begun) - I was thinking (in very broad-brush terms) about setting up the
> surplus desktop I'm going to be using as a general-purpose server machine
> to
> also act as a firewall. Right now internet comes through cable and feeds
> into a wireless router that the other computers connect to - the principal
> defenses being the ISP (hee, hee), the router itself (a Belkin G-plus
> MIMO,
> with MAC filtering, for what it's worth), and each computer's individual
> firewalls/anti-virus (which I've managed to have play nice with each
> other,
> so far).
>
> By the way, I must say that I'm very grateful for your timely help.
> Thanks.
>
> Shyster
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> You might try this - I havent used it
>> http://www.windowsnetworking.com/
>>
>> Your main issues maybe Firewall related, depending on what Firewall you
>> use
>>
>> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:78E0E509-17CC-4582-BFDB-EE0B151A5BBC@microsoft.com...
>> > Again, thanks for the quick reply. Since I (obviously) know next to
>> > nothing,
>> > would you by any chance have any useful references to hand that I might
>> > consult - my experience level in general is probably best characterized
>> > as
>> > advanced beginner, with a like for detailed explanation of what's going
>> > on
>> > as
>> > opposed to glib cut-n-paste recipe booklets.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> >
>> > Shyster
>> >
>> > "DL" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Theres no reason to upgrade to Pro simply to run on a network
>> >> I currently have a network of win2kpro, winxppro, winxphome (sony) &
>> >> Vista
>> >> Business also media server box all via a netgear wired/wireless print
>> >> server
>> >> router.
>> >> They all run together without a problem, its just that initial setup
>> >> requires manual config on the earlier o/s rather than a wizard
>> >>
>> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:5911761D-E131-4FA0-942C-4866A2C5A255@microsoft.com...
>> >> > DL,
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I do
>> >> > have
>> >> > the
>> >> > original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh install;
>> >> > not a
>> >> > lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of
>> >> > serial
>> >> > updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on them
>> >> > is a
>> >> > pain
>> >> > so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.
>> >> >
>> >> > I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons,
>> >> > although
>> >> > I
>> >> > haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have an
>> >> > idea
>> >> > of
>> >> > the parameters I have to work within.
>> >> >
>> >> > Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would like
>> >> > to
>> >> > use
>> >> > as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server and
>> >> > internal
>> >> > http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a month
>> >> > or
>> >> > so
>> >> > which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers left
>> >> > who
>> >> > offer
>> >> > WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for that
>> >> > currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other
>> >> > system.
>> >> > The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to use
>> >> > or
>> >> > it
>> >> > could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro,
>> >> > her
>> >> > system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a
>> >> > WinXP
>> >> > Pro
>> >> > network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch
>> >> > with
>> >> > the
>> >> > link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with
>> >> > WinXP
>> >> > H-E
>> >> > (which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I
>> >> > will
>> >> > explore
>> >> > the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm not
>> >> > quite
>> >> > as
>> >> > dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary
>> >> > costs
>> >> > if
>> >> > avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide that
>> >> > I
>> >> > want
>> >> > to
>> >> > have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would need
>> >> > to
>> >> > upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is the
>> >> > Sony
>> >> > with
>> >> > the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules for
>> >> > plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in
>> >> > exactly
>> >> > the
>> >> > same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade
>> >> > path
>> >> > was
>> >> > feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would
>> >> > know
>> >> > that
>> >> > I
>> >> > needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too much
>> >> > in
>> >> > the
>> >> > way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.
>> >> >
>> >> > Cheers,
>> >> >
>> >> > Shyster
>> >> >
>> >> > "DL" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in
>> >> >> case
>> >> >> you
>> >> >> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be
>> >> >> able
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> reinstal
>> >> >> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP
>> >> >> >Home
>> >> >> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > know
>> >> >> > if
>> >> >> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP
>> >> >> > Professional,
>> >> >> > or
>> >> >> > if
>> >> >> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
>> >> >> > Professional.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't
>> >> >> > provide
>> >> >> > any
>> >> >> > sort
>> >> >> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support
>> >> >> > from
>> >> >> > Sony
>> >> >> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no
>> >> >> > desire
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > do
>> >> >> > any
>> >> >> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding
>> >> >> > this
>> >> >> > laptop.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade
>> >> >> > license
>> >> >> > for
>> >> >> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home
>> >> >> > Edition,
>> >> >> > or
>> >> >> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Again, thank you very much! The individual firewalls are through the
anti-virus software, not the Windows default, and the router does NAT.

Also, I've taken more of a look at that website you linked to, and that
looks like a fantastic resource, with references for both beginners like
myself as well as for experienced admins. I'm really grateful for your help.

Shyster

"DL" wrote:

> With Firewalls on the individual PC's, preferably those that block in & out
> as apposed to Win default firewall that only blocks in, and a NAT router you
> should be fine
>
> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F3990509-EDB7-4DC7-9990-07CDA0B58B3F@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks. I'll take a look-see through the site - at a first glance, it
> > looks
> > like it should be technical enough (or more so) for me. The firewall is
> > another aspect I haven't finished thinking through yet (actually, I've
> > barely
> > begun) - I was thinking (in very broad-brush terms) about setting up the
> > surplus desktop I'm going to be using as a general-purpose server machine
> > to
> > also act as a firewall. Right now internet comes through cable and feeds
> > into a wireless router that the other computers connect to - the principal
> > defenses being the ISP (hee, hee), the router itself (a Belkin G-plus
> > MIMO,
> > with MAC filtering, for what it's worth), and each computer's individual
> > firewalls/anti-virus (which I've managed to have play nice with each
> > other,
> > so far).
> >
> > By the way, I must say that I'm very grateful for your timely help.
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Shyster
> >
> > "DL" wrote:
> >
> >> You might try this - I havent used it
> >> http://www.windowsnetworking.com/
> >>
> >> Your main issues maybe Firewall related, depending on what Firewall you
> >> use
> >>
> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:78E0E509-17CC-4582-BFDB-EE0B151A5BBC@microsoft.com...
> >> > Again, thanks for the quick reply. Since I (obviously) know next to
> >> > nothing,
> >> > would you by any chance have any useful references to hand that I might
> >> > consult - my experience level in general is probably best characterized
> >> > as
> >> > advanced beginner, with a like for detailed explanation of what's going
> >> > on
> >> > as
> >> > opposed to glib cut-n-paste recipe booklets.
> >> >
> >> > Regards,
> >> >
> >> > Shyster
> >> >
> >> > "DL" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Theres no reason to upgrade to Pro simply to run on a network
> >> >> I currently have a network of win2kpro, winxppro, winxphome (sony) &
> >> >> Vista
> >> >> Business also media server box all via a netgear wired/wireless print
> >> >> server
> >> >> router.
> >> >> They all run together without a problem, its just that initial setup
> >> >> requires manual config on the earlier o/s rather than a wizard
> >> >>
> >> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:5911761D-E131-4FA0-942C-4866A2C5A255@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > DL,
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I do
> >> >> > have
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh install;
> >> >> > not a
> >> >> > lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of
> >> >> > serial
> >> >> > updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on them
> >> >> > is a
> >> >> > pain
> >> >> > so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons,
> >> >> > although
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have an
> >> >> > idea
> >> >> > of
> >> >> > the parameters I have to work within.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would like
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > use
> >> >> > as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server and
> >> >> > internal
> >> >> > http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a month
> >> >> > or
> >> >> > so
> >> >> > which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers left
> >> >> > who
> >> >> > offer
> >> >> > WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for that
> >> >> > currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other
> >> >> > system.
> >> >> > The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to use
> >> >> > or
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro,
> >> >> > her
> >> >> > system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a
> >> >> > WinXP
> >> >> > Pro
> >> >> > network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch
> >> >> > with
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with
> >> >> > WinXP
> >> >> > H-E
> >> >> > (which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I
> >> >> > will
> >> >> > explore
> >> >> > the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm not
> >> >> > quite
> >> >> > as
> >> >> > dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary
> >> >> > costs
> >> >> > if
> >> >> > avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide that
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > want
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would need
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is the
> >> >> > Sony
> >> >> > with
> >> >> > the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules for
> >> >> > plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in
> >> >> > exactly
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade
> >> >> > path
> >> >> > was
> >> >> > feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would
> >> >> > know
> >> >> > that
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too much
> >> >> > in
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Cheers,
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Shyster
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "DL" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's in
> >> >> >> case
> >> >> >> you
> >> >> >> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont be
> >> >> >> able
> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> reinstal
> >> >> >> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of WinXP
> >> >> >> >Home
> >> >> >> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and need
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> > know
> >> >> >> > if
> >> >> >> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP
> >> >> >> > Professional,
> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> > if
> >> >> >> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
> >> >> >> > Professional.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't
> >> >> >> > provide
> >> >> >> > any
> >> >> >> > sort
> >> >> >> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active support
> >> >> >> > from
> >> >> >> > Sony
> >> >> >> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no
> >> >> >> > desire
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> > do
> >> >> >> > any
> >> >> >> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding
> >> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> > laptop.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade
> >> >> >> > license
> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home
> >> >> >> > Edition,
> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

well your good to go then
If you have a problem on an individual PC, try disabling the Firewall first,
at least you know then its a firewall config isssue

"Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:17403BA1-3E64-4EE9-983F-2AAEFAEEB613@microsoft.com...
> Again, thank you very much! The individual firewalls are through the
> anti-virus software, not the Windows default, and the router does NAT.
>
> Also, I've taken more of a look at that website you linked to, and that
> looks like a fantastic resource, with references for both beginners like
> myself as well as for experienced admins. I'm really grateful for your
> help.
>
> Shyster
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> With Firewalls on the individual PC's, preferably those that block in &
>> out
>> as apposed to Win default firewall that only blocks in, and a NAT router
>> you
>> should be fine
>>
>> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:F3990509-EDB7-4DC7-9990-07CDA0B58B3F@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanks. I'll take a look-see through the site - at a first glance, it
>> > looks
>> > like it should be technical enough (or more so) for me. The firewall
>> > is
>> > another aspect I haven't finished thinking through yet (actually, I've
>> > barely
>> > begun) - I was thinking (in very broad-brush terms) about setting up
>> > the
>> > surplus desktop I'm going to be using as a general-purpose server
>> > machine
>> > to
>> > also act as a firewall. Right now internet comes through cable and
>> > feeds
>> > into a wireless router that the other computers connect to - the
>> > principal
>> > defenses being the ISP (hee, hee), the router itself (a Belkin G-plus
>> > MIMO,
>> > with MAC filtering, for what it's worth), and each computer's
>> > individual
>> > firewalls/anti-virus (which I've managed to have play nice with each
>> > other,
>> > so far).
>> >
>> > By the way, I must say that I'm very grateful for your timely help.
>> > Thanks.
>> >
>> > Shyster
>> >
>> > "DL" wrote:
>> >
>> >> You might try this - I havent used it
>> >> http://www.windowsnetworking.com/
>> >>
>> >> Your main issues maybe Firewall related, depending on what Firewall
>> >> you
>> >> use
>> >>
>> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:78E0E509-17CC-4582-BFDB-EE0B151A5BBC@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Again, thanks for the quick reply. Since I (obviously) know next to
>> >> > nothing,
>> >> > would you by any chance have any useful references to hand that I
>> >> > might
>> >> > consult - my experience level in general is probably best
>> >> > characterized
>> >> > as
>> >> > advanced beginner, with a like for detailed explanation of what's
>> >> > going
>> >> > on
>> >> > as
>> >> > opposed to glib cut-n-paste recipe booklets.
>> >> >
>> >> > Regards,
>> >> >
>> >> > Shyster
>> >> >
>> >> > "DL" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Theres no reason to upgrade to Pro simply to run on a network
>> >> >> I currently have a network of win2kpro, winxppro, winxphome (sony)
>> >> >> &
>> >> >> Vista
>> >> >> Business also media server box all via a netgear wired/wireless
>> >> >> print
>> >> >> server
>> >> >> router.
>> >> >> They all run together without a problem, its just that initial
>> >> >> setup
>> >> >> requires manual config on the earlier o/s rather than a wizard
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:5911761D-E131-4FA0-942C-4866A2C5A255@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > DL,
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thanks for the quick response; I really appreciate the help. I
>> >> >> > do
>> >> >> > have
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > original Sony CDs (which give me a circa-2003 factory-fresh
>> >> >> > install;
>> >> >> > not a
>> >> >> > lot of fun since using them ends up requiring about two nights of
>> >> >> > serial
>> >> >> > updating); however, as my parenthetical indicates, relying on
>> >> >> > them
>> >> >> > is a
>> >> >> > pain
>> >> >> > so I've gone to making hdd images I can restore from instead.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I am contemplating going to WinXP Pro for networking reasons,
>> >> >> > although
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > haven't made up my mind yet; I asked now primarily so that I have
>> >> >> > an
>> >> >> > idea
>> >> >> > of
>> >> >> > the parameters I have to work within.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Basically, I have an old desktop running WinXP Pro that I would
>> >> >> > like
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > use
>> >> >> > as the foundation of a small network, as well as a file server
>> >> >> > and
>> >> >> > internal
>> >> >> > http server. I will be getting a new laptop for myself in a
>> >> >> > month
>> >> >> > or
>> >> >> > so
>> >> >> > which will come with WinXP Pro installed (still a few sellers
>> >> >> > left
>> >> >> > who
>> >> >> > offer
>> >> >> > WinXP ;^) ). That leaves two other computers unaccounted for
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > currently run WinXP Home Edition - my wife's laptop and one other
>> >> >> > system.
>> >> >> > The last system I'm not too worried about - it could be put to
>> >> >> > use
>> >> >> > or
>> >> >> > it
>> >> >> > could gather dust as far as I'm concerned.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thus, unless I upgrade my wife's laptop from WinXP H-E to WinXP
>> >> >> > Pro,
>> >> >> > her
>> >> >> > system will be the odd computer out in what would otherwise be a
>> >> >> > WinXP
>> >> >> > Pro
>> >> >> > network. I did find the earlier post from 2004 by Carrie Frisch
>> >> >> > with
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > link to the MS knowledgebase article on setting up a network with
>> >> >> > WinXP
>> >> >> > H-E
>> >> >> > (which I haven't read through yet, but I will later today), so I
>> >> >> > will
>> >> >> > explore
>> >> >> > the possibility of setting up a network with what I've got (I'm
>> >> >> > not
>> >> >> > quite
>> >> >> > as
>> >> >> > dumb as I sometimes seem, and would prefer to avoid unnecessary
>> >> >> > costs
>> >> >> > if
>> >> >> > avoidance is reasonable). However, in the event that I decide
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > want
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > have a uniform network with all systems on the same OS, I would
>> >> >> > need
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > upgrade my wife's WinXP H-E to WinXP Pro. Since her system is
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > Sony
>> >> >> > with
>> >> >> > the OEM license for WinXP H-E, and since I know that the rules
>> >> >> > for
>> >> >> > plain-vanilla individual retail licenses don't always apply in
>> >> >> > exactly
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > same way to OEM licenses, I wanted to check to see if the upgrade
>> >> >> > path
>> >> >> > was
>> >> >> > feasible - that way, if it turned out to be nonfeasible, I would
>> >> >> > know
>> >> >> > that
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > needed to come up with alternate arrangements before I sank too
>> >> >> > much
>> >> >> > in
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > way of time or money into setting up an all WinXP Pro network.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Cheers,
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Shyster
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "DL" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> A retail upgrade will work, I assume you have origonal Sony cd's
>> >> >> >> in
>> >> >> >> case
>> >> >> >> you
>> >> >> >> should ever need to reinstall your upgrade, if you dont you wont
>> >> >> >> be
>> >> >> >> able
>> >> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> reinstal
>> >> >> >> I assume you need Pro for networking/Domain reasons
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Shyster" <Shyster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> >> news:28FF8AA8-5B65-499E-8EC9-264962B9B582@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >I have a sony laptop that came with a pre-installed copy of
>> >> >> >> >WinXP
>> >> >> >> >Home
>> >> >> >> > Edition - obviously, an OEM license.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > I would now like to upgrade the OS to WinXP Professional and
>> >> >> >> > need
>> >> >> >> > to
>> >> >> >> > know
>> >> >> >> > if
>> >> >> >> > I can simply purchase a retail upgrade package for WinXP
>> >> >> >> > Professional,
>> >> >> >> > or
>> >> >> >> > if
>> >> >> >> > I will be required to purchase a new retail license for WinXP
>> >> >> >> > Professional.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > As far as I know, at this late date, the OEM (Sony) doesn't
>> >> >> >> > provide
>> >> >> >> > any
>> >> >> >> > sort
>> >> >> >> > of upgrade path such as this, I no longer get any active
>> >> >> >> > support
>> >> >> >> > from
>> >> >> >> > Sony
>> >> >> >> > (it's been 5 years since I bought the system), and I have no
>> >> >> >> > desire
>> >> >> >> > to
>> >> >> >> > do
>> >> >> >> > any
>> >> >> >> > more business than is absolutely necessary with Sony regarding
>> >> >> >> > this
>> >> >> >> > laptop.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > So, my question is, briefly, can I install a retail upgrade
>> >> >> >> > license
>> >> >> >> > for
>> >> >> >> > WinXP Pro on top of my original OEM installation of WinXP Home
>> >> >> >> > Edition,
>> >> >> >> > or
>> >> >> >> > must a purchase an entirely new retail license for WinXP Pro?
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>