CONVERTING TO XP

wcox

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Jun 15, 1999
Posts
424
Loc
Winter Park, Florida
Currently I have Windows ME and it is screwing up all the time. So I think its time I upgrde to Windows XP home edition. My question is when I install the upgrade does that trash the hard disc and reformat it so I have to load back on all my other programs??
 
My opinion?

Avoid upgrades. Even upgrading to XP sounds like a bad idea. And yes, I believe you'll have to reinstall all your programs, but the data may remain intact.

If you're determined to do this, a clean install on a reformatted hard drive would probably be the safest route.

HP says that the computer I'm using right now - which came with ME - can handle XP. Then it lists about 12 pages of drivers you have to download and install to make it work, and you still lose functionality of some of the PCs features. They conclude by saying that it it doesn't work, don't blame them.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong, 'cause I'd like to do exactly what you're asking about.
 
Hi Bill,

The upgrade program will preserve everything just fine. My main concern would be if the computer itself meets the minimum requirements for Windows XP. Windows ME came out in 1999, and computers are a lot faster now


Microsoft suggests a minimum CPU of 300mhz, 128mb memory (384mb suggested), with at least 2GB of free disk space

Mike
 
Okay, Mike. What if Bill - or I - decided to "upgrade" to 98SE instead? Could we install it over ME and retain the program settings for all our applications?

I think that would be a smart move if it works.
 
Wow!
We answered that within seconds of each other.

98SE was a very stable product, and is a better choice for slower computers. The upgrade from ME will be painless.

Mike
 
Well, I might be "away" for a while. I'm gonna stick my 98SE upgrade CD in the drive and see what happens. Everything is backed up every day, so all I have to lose is a few hours of my life.

With ME, I am unable to install any new USB peripherals, though a couple of old ones work. I also cannot install any of the Windows updates that download automatically every couple of days.

ME is a nightmare. I think I preferred Windows 3.0

Or DOS.

Or Fortran V.
 
I would avoid ever upgrading my OS. This will likely not be as smooth as Microsoft would like you to believe. I would reformat and do a clean install regardless. I saw a story by Leo Laport (he has forgotten more about computers than I will ever know)who said that he couldn't belive that MS had the nerve to even sell upgrades. I think you would be much happier with a clean install. I reformat my computer every year rather it needs it or not. But it usually does and always runs better! Plus a while back I remember the upgrade being about the same price of the whole OS. Im not sure if later you can even do a clean install with an upgrade disk if you decide.
 
Normally, I'd agree with you, Jay. In fact, I agreed with you earlier in this same thread.

But an upgrade to 98SE has GOT to run better than a clean install of ME. Also, you cannot buy a full version of SE off the shelf today.

I think you can do a clean install from an upgrade disk if you can provide evidence (i.e. another disk) of ownership of the earlier version.

Of course, if that earlier CD was also an upgrade, you could be swappin' CDs 'til the cows come in.

You'd also want to make sure you have a boot disk in there somewhere.

My mailman thinks I should get a Mac. What do you think?
 
On ME we totally agree. My grandmother uses is and I can tell you first hand what a piece of work that OS is. I just wouldn't ever put much hope on updating any OS that is aready running like poop.
 
I have upgraded several workstations running ME to XP home and also XP Pro. The XP Home upgrade was not a clean run and required a few tweaks to regain network access, the best way to upgrade in that case was to load in a new OEM version and dump the old. The upgrade to XP Pro was so sweet and easy that I was almost stunned!!!
 
XP doesn't like old equipment. It assumes you have a fairly current machine. If not, there will be issues finding the old drivers. In many cases they didn't release XP versions for the older hardware.

It just hit me that it may NOT let you "upgrade" from ME to 98SE, since ME is newer. A clean install might be the only way around it, providing you have the proper cd.
 
Thanks for the input. Being that it is a snow day here ( 10" of snow last night on top of 12 inches from last monday.) I decided to go ahead and take the plung.

Windows XP installed just fine only a few minor problem to solve.
 
I have to brag a little…..sorry about this guys……it a dream my new notebook computer…..arrived last Friday.

Dell Latitude X300…..the very sexy little one which weighs almost nothing….it came with all the works…top of the range stuff…………and…………XP Pro and Outlook 2003 …….this version of Outlook is very good has lots of features….the new “Business Tool” is super for tracking your business contacts very powerful for a small business user.

I'm embarrassed
about my little brag……Ah…………..who cares.

Dermot

[ 02-02-2004, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: Dermot ]
 
That's a real sharp machine. One of my clients (hospital) has a bunch of 'em. They're so SMALL!


Mike

PS: My Birthday is in 6 weeks... hint hint

[ 02-02-2004, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: Mike-L@GTP ]
 
Didn't read the thread yet but, upgrading from ME to XP was the best thing I ever did to my machine.

Did the full install.
 
I'm getting a laptop with XP pro on it. Will it have Excel, or can I add my Win 98 Small business cd?

What about QB or Access?

Betty
 
Hi Betty

I'm getting a laptop with XP pro on it. Will it have Excel, or can I add my Win 98 Small business cd?

What about QB or Access?
It depends what options you ordered with it. By default, none of those programs come with Windows. Some PC manufacturers bundle them in, for a modest upgrade fee. The full version of the Office suite (word, excel, powerpoint, access, etc) retails for over $500. (OEM versions start at about a third of that)

If you already have Office 2000 or Office XP from your previous computer, it can be loaded on the new one.
 
It just hit me that it may NOT let you "upgrade" from ME to 98SE, since ME is newer. A clean install might be the only way around it
Turns out that's exactly right.

Going from ME to 98SE would be a major improvement, but according to Microsoft, it's a step backwards and not allowed.

I'm all for a clean install. I do it annually on each machine. But I have to set aside a week of evenings to reinstall everything and now is not the time.
 
If you already have Office 2000 or Office XP from your previous computer, it can be loaded on the new one.
I'm not so sure about that one anymore. Over the past weekend I was at a friend's house coincidentally installing Windows XP on his new (albeit used) laptop. I figured I'd just use the copy of XP that came with his wife's computer and upgrade the laptop from ME. Worked great until I had to activate it. I called over the phone and told MS that my old computer broke and I just want to install XP on my new computer.

Bzzzt. Turns out, and I didn't know this, that OEM versions of XP software is non-transferable. So even though you received a copy of XP with that new Dell, you're not allowed to install it on any other computer. Ever.

I don't know if this applies to the OEM Office XP software or not, but it wouldn't surprise me. :rolleyes:

PS, the upgrade went smooth once I finally got a non-OEM version of XP. From my experience most ME boxes will work just fine with XP, though you definately want to stuff some more RAM in there.
 
Microsoft consider for OEM licensing that the computer chassis is where the license sits….it is a bit of a grey area…..the debate is whether the licence is on the hard drive or the computer…..I was informed that it is on the chassis……the same as a chassis number is on a car.

This whole area is a bit grey……some believe that individual components in a computer will need to have a licence someday for software regardless of whose owns the software.

A word of warning unless have the correct licence to use software it is illegal……there has being a case in Ireland where Microsoft have gone after the illegal user/installer…..and it wasn’t big a guys it was a small user/installer who should have known differently.

Bottom line is that the illegal use of software is the same as theft……regardless of the circumstance….and remember that in law ignorance of the law is not a defence.

You cannot transfer OEM OS (operation system) software…..but I do believe that providing you have wiped the Application software from a computer you should be able to transfer it to a new computer and stay legal.
 
Wow, I didn't know that about the OEM version XP activation. I know the regular retail version lets you call in and change the license (I have).

Office XP OEM gives you 2 installs and then makes you call in.

One thing I do know... ANYTHING is better than WindowsME


Mike
 
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