VMware Machine... upgrading from home to pro (xp)

alexx · 19 Jan 2012 at 16:03

I cant see how to use the xp pro disk to upgrade a home oem install... i need to do this so i can use the vm with vmplayer on other computers as with oem it wont allow me...

the only way i can think of doing it is to upgrade the original system to pro but I also dont want to do that!!

why is it sooo much of a faff -- all I want to do is have a working copy of a machine in virtual land so that if the old pc dies they have a backup that works

Burnsy2023 · 19 Jan 2012 at 16:40

You can't upgrade XP Home to XP Pro. It's not a supported upgrade path.

alexx · 19 Jan 2012 at 16:58

massive pile of pap! any ideas on best solution?

client has an old pc... that also uses an old epos software and usb hardware that isnt supported anywhere any more...

need a secure backup that is workable so if that system dies I can get another system or VM live for them quickly?

Burnsy2023 · 19 Jan 2012 at 17:02

alexx said:
massive pile of pap! any ideas on best solution?

client has an old pc... that also uses an old epos software and usb hardware that isnt supported anywhere any more...

need a secure backup that is workable so if that system dies I can get another system or VM live for them quickly?

P2V?

alexx · 20 Jan 2012 at 13:34

how is that different to what I have done please?

I've made a physical machine into a vmware machine?! isnt that all p2v stands for?

its only the fact its an oem install that i now have problems of a unusable image

Burnsy2023 · 20 Jan 2012 at 15:25

Apologies, I obviously didn't read properly.

alexx said:
its only the fact its an oem install that i now have problems of a unusable image

What issues are you getting?

bledd · 20 Jan 2012 at 15:33

When you install OEM Dell disc in a VM, it doesn't like it (iirc)

alexx · 20 Jan 2012 at 19:03

I've made a copy of a old dell pc that has oem xp home installed...

the vm starts up on another machine - but it asks for a serial (the only serial that can be entered is the dell oem one) as dell have this locked to their system and also oem is locked to hardware...

so basically once the key is entered it says no as the hardware isnt the same... turns out vm's dont fake what hardware is present?

so i need a quick way to make a vm of a oem installed machine.

ShadowMan · 20 Jan 2012 at 19:19

will it not take a retail xp home key? I cannot see why it would reject a legit key. Ask MS if it won't take. Consider cost of key part of the backup costs.

alexx · 21 Jan 2012 at 18:40

it wont take a legit key nope - think its due to it being dell oem rather than just oem

ShadowMan · 21 Jan 2012 at 19:16

Have you tried asking Microsoft for a way to apply the key? If you buy the key you should be able to use it. Give them a call and they can usually be quite helpful.