Excuse me if this is obvious, its late lol

I'm doing a fresh install on my laptop with a Home Edition disc, tried entering the Product Key and it doesn't want to know...

Noticed above the Product Key the words "Windows XP Pro Edition", is this why it won't let me enter the number?

If it is I've got to find a Pro disc from somewhere now

 

different editions require there own specific keys mate... so you need a pro disc, or a home key

 

Or you could download xp pro for free if you know how to

 

who me sir, no sir...

 

no if you have a key for xp pro, all you need do is download a copy and then use your legit key on it.

 

downloading as we speak, cheers guys

 

right little update, I've got myself a Pro disc but now I can't get the laptop to stop trying to load Home on there!!!

Anyone know how to stop it?

 

Boot from the CD you just downloaded, delete all partitions on the drive.

Hit F3 and then reboot the system.

XP will start again, this will perform a "clean install" without the remnants of any/ old failed XP installs

 

How do I make it boot from the CD mate?

Close to throwing it out the window lol

 

Depends on the make of PC unfortunately!
Try pressing F12 while the PC is first booting and select CD, when you get the message "Press any key to boot from CD" , hit a key

 

cool I'll give it a go mate thanks

 

Right then, loaded Pro on there and..... "your product key is invalid"

I'm using one that's on the case of the laptop so I really don't know what to do now...

I want it all running officially so I'm not going the pirated key route etc.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

ring the phone number in the activation screen and go thorough the automated system to activate your xp pro. its only failed to activate because your windows was originally a pre installed version whichy dont require activating but because you have run a flat xp install it has spotted it. nothing to worry about.

good luck.

 

u have the home key

or have you enter they key with big letters?
sure you have entered the correct one?

 

You got this sorted yet mate?