Install XP pro over media edition

[abc2185]

I have a sony vaio that has windows XP media edition and I think I have contracted a virus which is not allowing access to the internet and any video/media programs. I went and bought windows XP pro from the university i go to for $14 bucks and I wanted to install XP pro because I have never really liked media edition anyways. I was goin to just install XP pro over media but it wont let me it says I have an invalid product key. So i went and asked our IT people here and they said that my comp is recognizing that I m downgraded my system and it wont let. So what should I do? I was goin to try to uninstall XP media from my comp, but I cant figure out how to,and back my data and then install XP pro. Is this the right thing to do?...Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Hello, and welcome to the Windows Forum!

Try to perform a "clean install" instead of an install over the current system. Format your HD before starting the installation.

[jason.b.c]

I have a sony vaio that has windows XP media edition .. -- ...Any help is appreciated. Thanks

I have a sony vaio that has windows XP media edition and I think I have contracted a virus which is not allowing access to the internet and any video/media programs.

That sounds strange , I'm going to ask a possibly silly question but , Don't you have any kind of Anti-Virus at all.??? That usually takes care of it.. I personnally wouldn't dump a perfectly good system just because i couldn't watch online video..

I went and bought windows XP pro from the university i go to for $14 bucks and I wanted to install XP pro because I have never really liked media edition anyways.

So then you don't like XP Pro then..??? Because that "is" what XP Media Center Edition really is.! , It's XP Pro "With" the Media Center program installed as included software..Nothing more ..( I know this for a fact because this is what i was told by HP and Gateway )..

I was goin to just install XP pro over media but it wont let me it says I have an invalid product key. So i went and asked our IT people here and they said that my comp is recognizing that I m downgraded my system and it wont let.

This is the part that dosen't make sence to me , What is it exactly that's recognising the "DownGrade"..? When you install an operating system you BOOT from the system's install CD-Rom , Not anything else , So what is telling you that your downgrading..??

So what should I do? I was goin to try to uninstall XP media from my comp, but I cant figure out how to,and back my data and then install XP pro.

That's because you can't , You can't "Uninstall" an operating system , Only Re-Format the hard drive in wich it's installed...

So what should I do?

Stick with what you've got..In my opinion..Besides that , You paid for it already - It wasn't free with your new computer when you bought it.