Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3?

wii_zil · 02-09-2009, 09:34 AM

I am thinking of reformatting my computer and reinstall windows with the SP3 disc I ordered from microsoft, Is this possible? I have SP2 right now. When I insert the disc and does it's thing, will it ask for a product key? if so, can I use my SP2 home key?

**simpswr** · 02-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Yes . . and yes. the Product is tied to the Version ( Home, Pro or MCE ) not the Service Pack level. As long as the disc you got from M/S is the same Gender as the original ( Full Retail, Upgrade or OEM ) it should accept the same key

wii_zil · 02-09-2009, 10:05 AM

mmmk. I got my computer from the computer store and xp was already installed, no cds was given so I don't know if they use a Full Retail, Upgrade or OEM disc, can you help?

**simpswr** · 02-09-2009, 10:14 AM

Do you have a sticker on the side that looks like this?

wii_zil · 02-09-2009, 10:18 AM

Yes I do. btw I have the SP2 home disc, so I'm deciding whether I should install SP2 or SP3 mmmmm, What do you think I should do? Any difference? I wanna wait until SP3 gets better

**simpswr** · 02-09-2009, 10:25 AM

SP3 is as good as it ever will be ( and was from the first ) no reason not to upgrade to it.

You use that product Key when the installation asks for it

wii_zil · 02-09-2009, 11:39 AM

Will I be able to connect to the internet after reinstalling? I see an ethernet software installed in my computer, Do i really need that to connect? I once reinstall xp for my friend and his laptop was able to connect even though nothing was downloaded, will my computer be the same?

**simpswr** · 02-09-2009, 01:37 PM

XP will have some NIC drivers, but you can download all your drivers ahead of time and butn to cd to install after the reinstallation.

wii_zil · 02-09-2009, 02:27 PM

ok thanks

wii_zil · 02-16-2009, 03:28 PM

This is what I'm thinking. I'll reformat and reinstall SP2 and after the setup is finish, I'll install zonealarm for firewall and avira for antivirus. after, I'll go to microsoft update and download/install SP3. Is this ok to do? or do I have to install sp3 before installing anything or do i have to install certain programs first before installing sp3

I have another problem, does SP3 recognize what type of xp you have? I have sp2 home, so does it become sp3 home too when it's installed? Thanks for your help

**simpswr** · 02-16-2009, 03:40 PM

I like to down load it ahead of time and install it first thing while the system is nice and clean

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

You can burn to cd or any removable media along with your drivers so that you have them available

What ever version you have before SP3 will the the same after SP3

02-09-2009, 09:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
wii_zil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 210 OS: XP	Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? I am thinking of reformatting my computer and reinstall windows with the SP3 disc I ordered from microsoft, Is this possible? I have SP2 right now. When I insert the disc and does it's thing, will it ask for a product key? if so, can I use my SP2 home key?

02-09-2009, 09:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,253 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? Yes . . and yes. the Product is tied to the Version ( Home, Pro or MCE ) not the Service Pack level. As long as the disc you got from M/S is the same Gender as the original ( Full Retail, Upgrade or OEM ) it should accept the same key __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow? Last edited by simpswr; 02-09-2009 at 10:02 AM.

02-09-2009, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
wii_zil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 210 OS: XP	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? mmmk. I got my computer from the computer store and xp was already installed, no cds was given so I don't know if they use a Full Retail, Upgrade or OEM disc, can you help?

02-09-2009, 10:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,253 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? Do you have a sticker on the side that looks like this? __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

02-09-2009, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
wii_zil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 210 OS: XP	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? Yes I do. btw I have the SP2 home disc, so I'm deciding whether I should install SP2 or SP3 mmmmm, What do you think I should do? Any difference? I wanna wait until SP3 gets better

02-09-2009, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,253 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? SP3 is as good as it ever will be ( and was from the first ) no reason not to upgrade to it. You use that product Key when the installation asks for it __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

02-09-2009, 11:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
wii_zil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 210 OS: XP	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? Will I be able to connect to the internet after reinstalling? I see an ethernet software installed in my computer, Do i really need that to connect? I once reinstall xp for my friend and his laptop was able to connect even though nothing was downloaded, will my computer be the same?

02-09-2009, 01:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,253 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? XP will have some NIC drivers, but you can download all your drivers ahead of time and butn to cd to install after the reinstallation. __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

02-09-2009, 02:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
wii_zil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 210 OS: XP	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? ok thanks

02-16-2009, 03:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
wii_zil Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 210 OS: XP	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? This is what I'm thinking. I'll reformat and reinstall SP2 and after the setup is finish, I'll install zonealarm for firewall and avira for antivirus. after, I'll go to microsoft update and download/install SP3. Is this ok to do? or do I have to install sp3 before installing anything or do i have to install certain programs first before installing sp3 I have another problem, does SP3 recognize what type of xp you have? I have sp2 home, so does it become sp3 home too when it's installed? Thanks for your help

02-16-2009, 03:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,253 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Product key for SP2 can be used for SP3? I like to down load it ahead of time and install it first thing while the system is nice and clean http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en You can burn to cd or any removable media along with your drivers so that you have them available What ever version you have before SP3 will the the same after SP3 __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?