upgrade NT4 to XP

cracker

cracker

cracker

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9 Dec 2005
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140
Does anyone know if it's possible to upgrade an NT4 Workstation PC to XP Pro? A clean install isn't really an option (unless I have no choice).

I tried using an OEM XP Pro CD but it said it couldn't upgrade. IS this a limitation of the OEM CD or is it just not possible full stop?

The Microsoft website is far from helpful, I can hardly find any mention of NT4.
 
I think OEM cds can't do upgrades but retail disks can, if you did the MS web site will tell you. I don't know if you can upgrade straight to XP from NT4, you might have to go via win 2k.
 
Yes, you can to XP Professional, I remember something about NT SP6a being a prerequisite but not sure whether you can use an OEM XP.
 
Thanks for the replies and for the link.

The machine has got SP6a installed. Looks like I need the retail CD for the upgrade option then. The thing is we've got OEM licenses, and I'm assuming I can't use a Retail CD-ROM to upgrade the OS and use an OEM license key?
 
cracker said:
Thanks for the replies and for the link.

The machine has got SP6a installed. Looks like I need the retail CD for the upgrade option then. The thing is we've got OEM licenses, and I'm assuming I can't use a Retail CD-ROM to upgrade the OS and use an OEM license key?
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No, you can't use retail media with OEM product keys, they won't be valid. Incidentally, you shouldn't really be upgrading using OEM licenses anyway, but they will still be valid.

I take it the fact you are using NT4 means you're doing this for a business, in which case it would be advisable if you look at upgrade licences or an Open Licence Agreement.

I would highly suggest not performing any upgrade anyway, you're just inviting a whole host of reliability and performance issues as well as having a very messy registry. So I really suggest you rethink you're strategy here.
simulatorman said:
It probably would but I'm not sure of the legality, ask Burnsy2026.
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It's Burnsy2023 btw, the admins are having lots of fun changing my name recently, I've been Pwned, Butt and now Burnsy2026 in the last two weeks :(

Burnsy
 
You can upgrade from NT4 SP6a to XP Pro as I remember doing some trials on it a few years ago. I used a retail CD to do the upgrade and you have you launch setup from within NT4. I don't think an OEM key will work for a retail CD.
 
Yes this is for a business. We need to upgrade about 20ish machines. I know upgrading is considered messy, it's just one of the options we have to look at unfortunately, which is why I was testing it on a test machine.

I'm going to get hold of a retail CD and see how it goes. Other than that I think the only other real option is fresh installs all round.
 
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