Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not?

Teletubby · 10-09-2009, 04:17 PM

Ok, my title is a bit hard to understand. What I want to know is, if your computer has Windows XP Home, do you have to have a XP Home disc to do a repair, or could you use an XP Professional disc. Likewise in Vista, if you needed to do a repair, etc. on a Vista Home Premium machine, could you use a Vista Ultimate disc, or vice versa?

I need to know because I am starting out as a tech, and I don't want to have to buy every single version of windows out there, unless of course, I just get a Microsoft Technet Subscription and download all the various versions...but that's like $380.00.

Dogg · 10-10-2009, 06:16 AM

That was my understanding, but I've never tried mixing them.

**CCT** · 10-10-2009, 06:48 AM

'if your computer has Windows XP Home, do you have to have a XP Home disc to do a repair,'

That's a fact, Jack!

:)

trip1red · 10-10-2009, 08:29 AM

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm heres how hope that helps

Teletubby · 10-10-2009, 02:11 PM

Oh well...I guess my best bet is a technet subscription then. Thanks.

**TheOutcaste** · 10-10-2009, 07:00 PM

For XP, you'll need 4 disks: XP Home Retail, XP Home OEM, XP Pro Retail, and XP Pro OEM.
If the customer has an OEM Install, their OEM key won't work with a Retail disk, and vice versa.

For Vista, you should just need one disk for all versions, the Technet copy works for all versions, it's the key that determines what actually gets installed, but may need an OEM version to use with OEM keys.

Win7 has different disks for the different versions.

And Technet doesn't have OEM Copies.

Remember you can always borrow a disk to make a copy, it's the key that you actually pay for. Your local PC Repair shop may burn a copy for you for not much more than the cost of the CD, though you might not want to tell them you are going to be competing with them...

Teletubby · 10-12-2009, 11:17 AM

Thanks TheOutcaste! That is very, very useful information.

10-09-2009, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Teletubby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 89 OS: Win xp	Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not? Ok, my title is a bit hard to understand. What I want to know is, if your computer has Windows XP Home, do you have to have a XP Home disc to do a repair, or could you use an XP Professional disc. Likewise in Vista, if you needed to do a repair, etc. on a Vista Home Premium machine, could you use a Vista Ultimate disc, or vice versa? I need to know because I am starting out as a tech, and I don't want to have to buy every single version of windows out there, unless of course, I just get a Microsoft Technet Subscription and download all the various versions...but that's like $380.00. __________________ Currently working towards A+ and MCSA certification.

10-10-2009, 06:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 2,085 OS: XP sp3	Re: Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not? That was my understanding, but I've never tried mixing them. __________________ Google is your friend !

10-10-2009, 06:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
CCT Helper Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,869 OS: XP SP3, XP Pro SP3, Vista Home Basic SP2	Re: Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not? 'if your computer has Windows XP Home, do you have to have a XP Home disc to do a repair,' That's a fact, Jack! :) __________________ ..... caveat utilitor

10-10-2009, 08:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
trip1red Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: La Posts: 79 OS: vista	Re: Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not? http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm heres how hope that helps

10-10-2009, 02:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Teletubby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 89 OS: Win xp	Re: Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not? Oh well...I guess my best bet is a technet subscription then. Thanks. __________________ Currently working towards A+ and MCSA certification.

10-10-2009, 07:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 815 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not? For XP, you'll need 4 disks: XP Home Retail, XP Home OEM, XP Pro Retail, and XP Pro OEM. If the customer has an OEM Install, their OEM key won't work with a Retail disk, and vice versa. For Vista, you should just need one disk for all versions, the Technet copy works for all versions, it's the key that determines what actually gets installed, but may need an OEM version to use with OEM keys. Win7 has different disks for the different versions. And Technet doesn't have OEM Copies. Remember you can always borrow a disk to make a copy, it's the key that you actually pay for. Your local PC Repair shop may burn a copy for you for not much more than the cost of the CD, though you might not want to tell them you are going to be competing with them... __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?

10-12-2009, 11:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Teletubby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 89 OS: Win xp	Re: Specific Version of XP/Vista needed to do repair or not? Thanks TheOutcaste! That is very, very useful information. __________________ Currently working towards A+ and MCSA certification.