Free upgrade from Me to XP??

[x]

Hi,
I notice that Microsoft offer a free upgrade from Me to XP.
I am in the UK, how do i get hold of this free upgrade?
Although i appear to be entitled to it, the website just sends me round in
circles!

ANY help appreciated.

Thanks

[Shane]

Where do you *notice* that, then?

Shane


"x" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> I notice that Microsoft offer a free upgrade from Me to XP.
> I am in the UK, how do i get hold of this free upgrade?
> Although i appear to be entitled to it, the website just sends me round in
> circles!
>
> ANY help appreciated.
>
> Thanks

[Mike M]

And where did you see this offer? What is the address of the web site? I
suspect the circles you are experiencing might be the result of some sort
of scam.

I'm unaware of any such offer having been made either in the UK or
elsewhere in the world. You can of course purchase an upgrade version of
either XP Home or XP Pro that is somewhat cheaper than the full version
and requires the user to already own a qualifying product, the list of
such products including Win Me.
--
Mike Maltby



x > wrote:

> Hi,
> I notice that Microsoft offer a free upgrade from Me to XP.
> I am in the UK, how do i get hold of this free upgrade?
> Although i appear to be entitled to it, the website just sends me
> round in circles!
>
> ANY help appreciated.
>
> Thanks

[webster72n]

Hello "x":
You couldn't possibly believe to get a "free" upgrade of that caliber from
Microsoft. They do offer a free CD with SP2 for WinXP though. I have already
secured mine.
You will have to order it from them.
That offer I found most generous, especially since no shipping costs were
involved.

Harry.


"x" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> I notice that Microsoft offer a free upgrade from Me to XP.
> I am in the UK, how do i get hold of this free upgrade?
> Although i appear to be entitled to it, the website just sends me round in
> circles!
>
> ANY help appreciated.
>
> Thanks

[webster72n]

With a bit of searching I found the source, Shane.
It is: www.AllFreeGifts.com
The trouble is you have to order or subscribe to something(s)
to get WinXP Professional and who needs that?

Harry.

"Shane" > wrote in message
...
> Where do you *notice* that, then?
>
> Shane
>
>
> "x" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi,
> > I notice that Microsoft offer a free upgrade from Me to XP.
> > I am in the UK, how do i get hold of this free upgrade?
> > Although i appear to be entitled to it, the website just sends me round
in
> > circles!
> >
> > ANY help appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks
>
>

[Mike M]

Harry,

The free XP SP2 CD is a service pack and not the full operating system in
a similar fashion to the security update CD that used to be available
which incidentally included a copy of the free XP SP1 service pack as well
as the then latest SP for Win2K. It was the release of XP SP2 that caused
the security CD to be withdrawn as it was out of date for those running
XP.
--
Mike Maltby



webster72n > wrote:

> Hello "x":
> You couldn't possibly believe to get a "free" upgrade of that caliber
> from Microsoft. They do offer a free CD with SP2 for WinXP though. I
> have already secured mine.
> You will have to order it from them.
> That offer I found most generous, especially since no shipping costs
> were involved.

[Mike M]

> His windowsME key is messed up or somehow he unknowingly got a illegal
> version of WindowsME.

I suspect you have been misled What you mention can indeed happen for
those running pirated versions of XP depending on the source of the copy
such as when supplied preinstalled on a PC but not AFAIK for those running
Win Me since Windows Advantage doesn't check Win Me keys..
--
Mike Maltby



GregRo > wrote:

> His windowsME key is messed up or somehow he unknowingly got a illegal
> version of WindowsME.
>
> So windows advantage is offering a Free windows full retail.
>
> I don't know if Microsoft is allowing UK to participate in the free
> offer.
>
> For the free retail version of XP
> You need send Microsoft the windowsMe Cd and the receipt.
> Make a copy of the receipt for your records.
>
>
> Otherwise if it the system.
>
> Microsoft will give you a discount without the cd.
> You will need to sign some type of form and provide proof of purchase
>
>
> Sorry, I don't have the address info for these
>
> Greg Ro

[webster72n]

Does that mean my CD is worthless, Mike?
I understand it is a service pack and not the full operating system. How
could I find out about those *little details* you mention , were it not for
this forum? 'm sure glad to be here.

Harry.




"Mike M" > wrote in message
...
> Harry,
>
> The free XP SP2 CD is a service pack and not the full operating system in
> a similar fashion to the security update CD that used to be available
> which incidentally included a copy of the free XP SP1 service pack as well
> as the then latest SP for Win2K. It was the release of XP SP2 that caused
> the security CD to be withdrawn as it was out of date for those running
> XP.
> --
> Mike Maltby
>
>
>
> webster72n > wrote:
>
> > Hello "x":
> > You couldn't possibly believe to get a "free" upgrade of that caliber
> > from Microsoft. They do offer a free CD with SP2 for WinXP though. I
> > have already secured mine.
> > You will have to order it from them.
> > That offer I found most generous, especially since no shipping costs
> > were involved.
>

[Mike M]

webster72n > wrote:

> Does that mean my CD is worthless, Mike?
> I understand it is a service pack and not the full operating system.
> How could I find out about those *little details* you mention , were
> it not for this forum? 'm sure glad to be here.

That rather depends Harry,

If you haven't yet bought a copy of XP then any new purchase will, or
rather should, be of XP SP2, that is with SP2 included. However if you
have a version purchased before the release of SP2, that is before Autumn
2004, then having the CD will enable you to upgrade XP to XP SP2 without
having to go on-line and download the package which can be pretty big.
--
Mike Maltby

[Mike M]

The Microsoft Download Centre installs the Windows Advantage control but
doesn't use it when a user running Win Me wants to download certain
components such as WMP9 that can also be installed on XP. The Windows
Update site however does not use WGA for Win Me. The WGA mechanism makes
no check of any Win9x key. So much so that Microsoft are in the process
of removing the downloading of the WGA control by those using Win 9x
systems to download such apps as WMP9.

> I am pretty sure it checks all key from windows 98se and up.

That's not true, I would take anything written by either Gibson or his
acolytes with a very large pinch of salt.

> Plus it does not matter what version of operating system you send in.
> Microsoft will give you a free or discount version of windows xp home
> depending on the purchaser situation

That is simply untrue. I'll check again but doubt that Microsoft have
changed their policy and are now doing this. Microsoft will only give
free copies of XP to those whose pirated copy of XP was obtained as part
of a pre-built system and not for those who downloaded and installed a
copy from Usenet, Bit Torrent or the like although in the latter cases may
sometimes offer a discount.
--
Mike Maltby



GregRo > wrote:

> When you download stuff it sure does.
> I could not download windows media player nine for windows 98se
> without validating.
>
>
> I am pretty sure it checks all key from windows 98se and up.
> I was told this in the windows xp group as well the grc groups.
>
>
> Plus it does not matter what version of operating system you send in.
> Microsoft will give you a free or discount version of windows xp home
> depending on the purchaser situation
>
>
> Greg Ro

[Noel Paton]

Ye - you've just proved exactly Mike's point!

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
>
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/faq.aspx
> Q:
> Do all Windows users need to validate, or is validation limited to
> particular versions of Windows?
>
> A:
> Validation is required for all genuine Windows downloads on Microsoft
> Download Center. It is also required by the Windows Update service for
> users of Windows XP including Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional
> and Windows XP Media Center Edition. All users can access security
> updates via Automatic Updates. Genuine Windows downloads are
> available, without validation, to customers running Windows 98,
> Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional
> x64 Edition, Windows Vista, and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3.
> Genuine Windows downloads are not available for older versions of
> Windows (Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 2, and earlier),
> or non-Microsoft operating systems.
>
>
>
>
> Greg Ro

[Mike M]

> Genuine Windows downloads are
> available, without validation, to customers running Windows 98,
> Windows ME

Thanks so very much for confirming the truth of what I said and
demolishing your contention that Windows Advantage is used to verify keys
on Win 9x systems.
--
Mike Maltby



GregRo > wrote:

> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/faq.aspx
> Q:
> Do all Windows users need to validate, or is validation limited to
> particular versions of Windows?
>
> A:
> Validation is required for all genuine Windows downloads on Microsoft
> Download Center. It is also required by the Windows Update service for
> users of Windows XP including Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional
> and Windows XP Media Center Edition. All users can access security
> updates via Automatic Updates. Genuine Windows downloads are
> available, without validation, to customers running Windows 98,
> Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional
> x64 Edition, Windows Vista, and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3.
> Genuine Windows downloads are not available for older versions of
> Windows (Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 2, and earlier),
> or non-Microsoft operating systems.

[webster72n]

Haven't bought a copy of XP yet, Mike, but when I do, it could well be one
from before August 2004. If not, I know then what to do, thanks to the
insight you have given me.
Again, thank you.

Harry.


"Mike M" > wrote in message
...
> webster72n > wrote:
>
> > Does that mean my CD is worthless, Mike?
> > I understand it is a service pack and not the full operating system.
> > How could I find out about those *little details* you mention , were
> > it not for this forum? 'm sure glad to be here.
>
> That rather depends Harry,
>
> If you haven't yet bought a copy of XP then any new purchase will, or
> rather should, be of XP SP2, that is with SP2 included. However if you
> have a version purchased before the release of SP2, that is before Autumn
> 2004, then having the CD will enable you to upgrade XP to XP SP2 without
> having to go on-line and download the package which can be pretty big.
> --
> Mike Maltby
>
>
>
>
>

[Mike M]

GregRo > wrote:

> Then why did I need my windows 98se key to download windows media
> player nine using the alternate method via firefox?

Perhaps you misread what you were being asked. So once again just in case
you misread it
> Genuine Windows downloads are
> available, without validation, to customers running Windows 98,
> Windows ME
Source http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/faq.aspx
--
Mike Maltby

[Mike M]

GregRo > wrote:

> Then why did I need my windows 98se key to download windows media
> player nine using the alternate method via firefox?

I thought I mentioned earlier that some downloads by Win9x systems from
the download centre were attempting to verify the OS where the download
could also be installed on an XP system. Microsoft have or are in the
process of correcting this and if not already it is their intention that
no WGA check should be performed on Win9x systems. Such checks would be
somewhat pointless as MS do not hold the same details of product keys for
Win 9x systems that they do for XP and later. It is possible that you
downloaded WMP9 at such a time. If you had done so via the Windows Update
site you would have not seen any attempt to verify your system.
--
Mike Maltby

[Heather]

Our of curiosity, why were you using Firefox to download it?? I use FF
all the time, but download anything from MS via IE. That would make
sense to me. So I would like to know why......and I would assume you
could have avoided all this validation if you had used IE.

But what the heck, it's done now.

Heather

"GregRo" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 28 Jan 2006 00:06:20 -0000, "Mike M"
> > wrote:
>
>>GregRo > wrote:
>>
> Then why did I need my windows 98se key to download windows media
> player nine using the alternate method via firefox?
>>
>>Perhaps you misread what you were being asked. So once again just in
>>case
>>you misread it
>>> Genuine Windows downloads are
>>> available, without validation, to customers running Windows 98,
>>> Windows ME
>>Source http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/faq.aspx
>
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e0175119-9a5b-44c3-b1de-9b2a9aa6cff6&DisplayLang=en
>
>
> Using Mozilla firefox. Still got to validate
>
> Greg Ro

[Noel Paton]

Q: Do all Windows users need to validate, or is validation limited to
particular versions of Windows?


A:
Validation is required for all genuine Windows downloads on Microsoft
Download Center. It is also required by the Windows Update service for users
of Windows XP including Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional and Windows
XP Media Center Edition. All users can access security updates via Automatic
Updates. Genuine Windows downloads are available, without validation, to
customers running Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003,
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Vista, and Windows NT 4.0 with
Service Pack 3. Genuine Windows downloads are not available for older
versions of Windows (Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 2, and
earlier), or non-Microsoft operating systems.


( from http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx?displaylang=en)

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"GregRo" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 28 Jan 2006 00:06:20 -0000, "Mike M"
> > wrote:
>
>>GregRo > wrote:
>>
> Then why did I need my windows 98se key to download windows media
> player nine using the alternate method via firefox?
>>
>>Perhaps you misread what you were being asked. So once again just in case
>>you misread it
>>> Genuine Windows downloads are
>>> available, without validation, to customers running Windows 98,
>>> Windows ME
>>Source http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/faq.aspx
>
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e0175119-9a5b-44c3-b1de-9b2a9aa6cff6&DisplayLang=en
>
>
> Using Mozilla firefox. Still got to validate
>
> Greg Ro