How to uninstall from professional to home??

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Guest

I bought a computer which had XP home, and I upgraded it to Professional. The computer has not run correctly since. I cannot get online, because I am not able to add a new connection, which is my main problem. I have been on the phone with technicians for hours, to no avail. There is no system restore point before I upgraded, I can't re-install Windows (it just doesn't do anything when I try), Windows isn't in my add/remove programs list, when I try to boot from the XP disk, I get a setup disabled message. Everyone has just told me there is a "glitch". Any ideas on how I can just go back to XP home?
 
There was most likely a problem with the upgrade.
Windows XP Home and Pro are identical are identical in performance and
stability so the problem is not with Pro.

There is no downgrade path from Pro to Home so a Clean Installation is
the only way.

Follow this link for whichever you want Home or Pro:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


Papel said:
I bought a computer which had XP home, and I upgraded it to
Click to expand...
Professional. The computer has not run correctly since. I cannot get
online, because I am not able to add a new connection, which is my
main problem. I have been on the phone with technicians for hours, to
no avail. There is no system restore point before I upgraded, I can't
re-install Windows (it just doesn't do anything when I try), Windows
isn't in my add/remove programs list, when I try to boot from the XP
disk, I get a setup disabled message. Everyone has just told me there
is a "glitch". Any ideas on how I can just go back to XP home?
 
Papel said:
I bought a computer which had XP home, and I upgraded it to
Professional. The computer has not run correctly since. I cannot
get online, because I am not able to add a new connection, which is
my main problem. I have been on the phone with technicians for
hours, to no avail. There is no system restore point before I
upgraded, I can't re-install Windows (it just doesn't do anything
when I try), Windows isn't in my add/remove programs list, when I try
to boot from the XP disk, I get a setup disabled message. Everyone
has just told me there is a "glitch". Any ideas on how I can just go
back to XP home?
Click to expand...

In order to "downgrade" from Windows XP Professional to Windows XP Home
Edition, a clean installation is required:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm

Perhaps someone in this newsgroup can help you correct the issue you are
wanting to fix... Can you give more details (including things you have
tried) in this message thread?
 
An upgrade to XP Pro is a one-way ticket with no uninstall option.
Backup your important files and documents to a CD, then perform a
"clean install" of XP Home:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except for the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your CD Drive as the first bootable device.

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

7. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--


| I bought a computer which had XP home, and I upgraded it to Professional. The computer has not run
correctly since. I cannot get online, because I am not able to add a new connection, which is my main
problem. I have been on the phone with technicians for hours, to no avail. There is no system restore point
before I upgraded, I can't re-install Windows (it just doesn't do anything when I try), Windows isn't in my
add/remove programs list, when I try to boot from the XP disk, I get a setup disabled message. Everyone has
just told me there is a "glitch". Any ideas on how I can just go back to XP home?
 
You will have to Format/Install; but BEFORE doing so ensure you have an
actual WinXPHome installation disk and NOT a Restore disk
If you have a restore disk you would be advised to contact yr sys supplier
Did you try to add a new connection when logged on as the Administrator?
David

Papel said:
I bought a computer which had XP home, and I upgraded it to Professional.
Click to expand...
The computer has not run correctly since. I cannot get online, because I am
not able to add a new connection, which is my main problem. I have been on
the phone with technicians for hours, to no avail. There is no system
restore point before I upgraded, I can't re-install Windows (it just doesn't
do anything when I try), Windows isn't in my add/remove programs list, when
I try to boot from the XP disk, I get a setup disabled message. Everyone
has just told me there is a "glitch". Any ideas on how I can just go back
to XP home?
 
hi again. since installing pro, i have not been able to log on as the administrator - it says my password is incorrect, an i'm POSITIVE it's not. Also I cannot open my BIOS and set my CD Drive as the first bootable device, that whole page of setup has been disabled. Yes, I am using a Dell XP Home reinstallation disk, as was instructed by Dell. I don't have the actual retail version, as this came with the new computer. So, it's impossible to do a clean install from this? Thanks for the help.
 
papel said:
hi again. since installing pro, i have not been able to log on as
the administrator - it says my password is incorrect, an i'm POSITIVE
it's not. Also I cannot open my BIOS and set my CD Drive as the
first bootable device, that whole page of setup has been disabled.
Yes, I am using a Dell XP Home reinstallation disk, as was instructed
by Dell. I don't have the actual retail version, as this came with
the new computer. So, it's impossible to do a clean install from
this? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Papel,

Windows XP (Professional or Home) does nothing to your BIOS. Your BIOS is a
hardware feature unaffected by Windows. If you cannot get into the BIOS
page needed, this is not a result of Windows XP. You should contact Dell
and ask them how to change your Boot Priority - and if the page is, in fact,
disabled - ask them how they can help you remedy this - as it should nbot be
this way.

As far as restoring to Windows XP Home - The Dell should have shipped with
an XP CD. Most Dell's actually ship with a restoration OS CD - which is
merely Dell's OEM version of Windows XP. This CD will perform a clean
install like any other - but this method WILL erase all of your files.. If
you can manage at all - you need to get your stuff backed up first.
 
papel said:
hi again. since installing pro, i have not been able to log on as
the administrator - it says my password is incorrect, an i'm POSITIVE
it's not. Also I cannot open my BIOS and set my CD Drive as the
first bootable device, that whole page of setup has been disabled.
Yes, I am using a Dell XP Home reinstallation disk, as was instructed
by Dell. I don't have the actual retail version, as this came with
the new computer. So, it's impossible to do a clean install from
this? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

From what I understand, Dell ships with a XP CD plus restore media. You
should look for it.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Thanks all for the help. After much hassle, and me thinking I had messed this computer up, I realize it is the fault of Dell. BIOS is disabled, for no apparent reason, as are other non Windows related things. This computer is 6 weeks old, and junk. Now, to get it exchanged... sigh
 
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