How easy/difficult should it be to install a legit copy of XP home over an illegitmate copy of XP Pro (which cannot update due to a message saying that it is not a legal copy)
thanks
it's quite easy, as long as you have a legit version of xp, you need to edit the registry, follow this procedure.
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents
4. In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
5. Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.
6. Click Start, and then click Run.
7. In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
8. Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.
9. Click Change Product key.
10. Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update.
If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.
11. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows is activated. You receive the following message:
Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.
12. Click OK.
13. Install Windows XP SP1 or a later version of Windows XP.
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL MICROSOFT ANSWER
How to change the Volume Licensing product key on a computer that is running Windows XP SP1 and later versions of Windows XP
