two operating systems & clean hard drive

[John]

I just loaded XP; however, I changed the file name to
prevent losing any previous files, therefore it kept my
prev. operating system (ME) on there as well. I realize
now that I do not need this to be the case. What is the
best way to resolve this? Can I use Add/Remove to remove
XP, thus reverting me back to ME? From there can I just
back everything up and upgrade to XP? Will I lose any
programs that I had installed in ME?

Also, if I chose to simply clean the hard drive - what is
the best way to begin the process? Is it to save all my
files and then what? What if I had a program loaded, but
I lost the disc - is there anything I can do about that?
After cleaning the hard drive (however I do that), then
will I be able to just insert the XP disc and load XP,
follwed by reloading all my programs and then other files?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi John,

Lot's of questions....

I just loaded XP; however, I changed the file name to prevent losing any

previous files, therefore it kept my

prev. operating system (ME) on there as well. I realize now that I do not

need this to be the case. What is the

best way to resolve this?

That depends largely on what you want to end up with. If you're happy with
the WinXP installation, then simply remove the WinME one. This involves
nothing more than deleting the WinME system folders and editing the boot.ini
file (easy to do).

Can I use Add/Remove to remove XP, thus reverting me back to ME?

Only if you used the upgrade option to begin with, and it doesn't sound like
you did.

From there can I just back everything up and upgrade to XP?
Absolutely.

Will I lose any programs that I had installed in ME?

If you upgrade - no, but be aware that some may require a patch or upgrade.
Others may need to be run in compatibility mode. But in some form or other,
you can probably get most of it to work.

Also, if I chose to simply clean the hard drive - what is the best way to

begin the process?

Boot the CD, start the installer. Delete the existing system partitions,
create new ones from the free space, format and start setup.

Is it to save all my files and then what?

Yep, always backup critical data before any upgrade or installation. Just
makes good sense.

What if I had a program loaded, but I lost the disc - is there anything I

can do about that?

Nope, nothing besides replacing the disk. An upgrade may allow the program
to continue working, but there are no guarantees.

After cleaning the hard drive (however I do that), then will I be able to

just insert the XP disc and load XP,

follwed by reloading all my programs and then other files?

Yep.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone