I have a computer that a "technician" installed WindowsXP on for me a couple
of years ago. When trying to upgrade to SP2, I found out that the WindowsXP
Professional installation on the computer is not a valid installation. I
want to correct this, but am not sure if I buy an upgrade version of the
software or the full version and reinstall over what is there. Any advice
would be greatly appreciated.

If you are getting the following error message when attempting to update:

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

You'll need to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Is your version of Windows XP genuine?
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/h...s/default.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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"rghinftl" wrote:

| I have a computer that a "technician" installed WindowsXP on for me a couple
| of years ago. When trying to upgrade to SP2, I found out that the WindowsXP
| Professional installation on the computer is not a valid installation. I
| want to correct this, but am not sure if I buy an upgrade version of the
| software or the full version and reinstall over what is there. Any advice
| would be greatly appreciated.