[gmcjetpilot]

Subject:
How do I replace windows 2000 pro updated to service pack 4 with a new version of Windows 2000 pro SP3. The reason is the current software is not legal and want to replace it with a legal copy.

Back ground:
Well I got this piece of crud called Win ME and a friend helping me out loaded Win 2000 and loved it.

I bought the Dell P4, 1.8 GHz several years ago. I have bought several computers and operating systems Win 95, Win 98 and Last Win ME millennium over the years. I did not think much about Win ME and and kept the friends WIN 2000 with out getting my own copy.

Well I would like to "come clean" and decided to give Billy some more money and buy a legit, genuine retail, COA, product code copy of WIN 2000 pro. Dell does not offer a Win 2000 upgrade and had to buy a whole copy of WIN 2000 outright. At least I did not have to by the server version for $350 something.


I DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE OPERATING SYTEM BY REFORMATING THE DRIVE AND LOADING THE NEW DISK.

What to do?

Mr. Trying to be honest (although I am pissed MS sold me this piece of junk Win ME originally)

Edited by gmcjetpilot, 10 January 2006 - 09:16 PM.

[Advertisements]

My initial reaction is you can't, and do not have to. Purchasing the disc as you have grants you a license to run win2k pro and the product key installed is immaterial.

In XP, you might be blocked from windows updates, but there is no such mechanism I am aware of in 2k.

There is a program called magic jelly bean keyfinder that will reveal and cahnge product keys in xp, but I do not know if it will work in 2k (it will definitely reveal them, though)

Changing the key could have dire consequences and I would not risk it if I were you.

You could install win2k ontop of itself and possibly achieve your goal, too.

I'm no where near a test machine and will be away most of tomorrow, but if you are really concerned, PM me on Thursday..I've got an old winx2k machine laying around and a couple of old 2k disks so I could test jelly bean for you, but PM me if I forget.

[gerryf]

My initial reaction is you can't, and do not have to. Purchasing the disc as you have grants you a license to run win2k pro and the product key installed is immaterial.

In XP, you might be blocked from windows updates, but there is no such mechanism I am aware of in 2k.

There is a program called magic jelly bean keyfinder that will reveal and cahnge product keys in xp, but I do not know if it will work in 2k (it will definitely reveal them, though)

Changing the key could have dire consequences and I would not risk it if I were you.

You could install win2k ontop of itself and possibly achieve your goal, too.

I'm no where near a test machine and will be away most of tomorrow, but if you are really concerned, PM me on Thursday..I've got an old winx2k machine laying around and a couple of old 2k disks so I could test jelly bean for you, but PM me if I forget.

[gerryf]

scratch that...will not work in win2k...seems an re-install over itself would be the best bet...not sure when I will have time to try that i you're interested

[gmcjetpilot]

Dear Gerryf:


It is time to clean the barn and start A-new. time to load the new operating software. I might even buy a new drive, since I did have a hiccup with the hard drive a while back. No bad sectors just that it is 4 years old.


Can you give me advice on reformatting my a new hard drive and getting back to scratch?

Right now I have two (physical) hard drives, C: (every thing) and F: (back up only).

I backed up most of my C: drive and system state onto the F: with the windows backup wizard under accessories. This is a semi regular routine (or should be), so I think I am covered there. PLEASE comment if I am missing stuff. I also have backed up OUTLOOK.

Now I know I am going to loose all my soft ware and will have to re down load or reload. Is there anything I can do to make that easier?

Any references or direction can you point me to. I did this once on my laptop but did not have much extra stuff on it.

Thanks George