I need to uninstall Media Center so I can install Pro. I know you can't upgrade, but Pro refuses to install until I uninstall Media Center. Every article I read about it claims that XP is on the Add/Remove Programs list, but it's not ... also I can't figure out how to verify if the Undo folder is present ... Microsoft never writes in English.

I'm semi-computer savvy, so please make responses in English ... Thanks ...

I really need to get this accomplished by Sunday the 25th!!!

OK, calm down, take a deep breath, and relax.

If it's an upgrade installation, then to my knowledge you're out of luck. It's in the EULA that you can't upgrade from Windows XP MCE to Windows XP Pro, you have to buy a full coppy of XP pro. It won't let you do otherwise.

What you need to do is a clean install. Back up all of your files onto an external drive, then insert the CD and reboot. You'll boot off the CD and can proceed with setup from there. Please note that you will loose all of your settings, as well as any software installed on the computer and any documents on the drive you are installing windows onto.

However, first consider why you are doing this. There is only one thing that Windows XP Professional has that Windows XP Media Center Edition doesn't: support for active directory. If you aren't going to be using a windows domain, then there's no need to upgrade from MCE to Pro. MCE IS pro with A.D. support removed. It still has remote desktop, encrypting file system, etc. So before you go ahead with this, consider whether you really need to. Additionally, XP MCE can be joined to a domain if you apply the necessary changes, however, that is unsupported by microsoft.

And what do you mean by the "undo folder"??

That won't work. It keeps saying the CD Key is invalid, but I've checked it four times and it's NEVER been installed before. It is a full copy too.

Hmm. Try calling MS. It gives you a phone # to call if you have activation problems.