Upgrade from ME ==> XP

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Q

Q

I want to upgrade to XP. Will XP require me to format and wipe out my C
drive? Will I have to reinstall everything? (My ME machine is rather new, so
it's got the fast hardware needed for XP.) Or can it install itself without
requiring a reinstallation of everything?
Thanks.
 
Q said:
I want to upgrade to XP. Will XP require me to format and wipe out my C
drive? Will I have to reinstall everything? (My ME machine is rather new, so
it's got the fast hardware needed for XP.) Or can it install itself without
requiring a reinstallation of everything?
Thanks.
Click to expand...


WinXP is designed to install and upgrade the existing operating
system while simultaneously preserving your applications and data, and
translating as many personalized settings as possible. The process is
designed to be, and normally is, quite painless. That said, things
can go wrong, in a small number of cases. If your data is at all
important to you, back it up before proceeding.

Have you made sure that your PC's hardware components are capable
of supporting WinXP? This information will be found at the PC's
manufacturer's web site, and on Microsoft's Windows Catalog:
(http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx) Additionally, run
Microsoft WinXP Upgrade Advisor to see if you have any incompatible
hardware components or applications.

You should, before proceeding, take a few minutes to ensure that
there are WinXP device drivers available for all of the machine's
components. There may not be, if the PC was specifically designed for
Win98/Me. Also bear in mind that PCs designed for, sold and run fine
with Win9x/Me very often do not meet WinXP's much more stringent
hardware quality requirements. This is particularly true of many
models in Compaq's consumer-class Presario product line or HP's
consumer-class Pavilion product line. WinXP, like WinNT and Win2K
before it, is quite sensitive to borderline defective or substandard
hardware (particularly motherboards, RAM and hard drives) that will
still support Win9x.

HOW TO Prepare to Upgrade Win98 or WinMe
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316639

Upgrading to Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
In
Q said:
I want to upgrade to XP. Will XP require me to format and wipe
out my C
drive? Will I have to reinstall everything? (My ME machine is
rather
new, so it's got the fast hardware needed for XP.) Or can it
install
itself without requiring a reinstallation of everything?
Click to expand...


By definition, an "upgrade" (as opposed to a clean installation)
means that all data, programs, etc. are kept intact.

However there are no guarantees that it always works perfectly.
However unlikely, it's always possible that something might go
wrong. For that reason it's prudent to be sure you have a backup
of anything you can't afford to lose before beginning.



Also note that you can do an upgrade with an Full version or an
Upgrade version, but *not* with an OEM version.
 
If you have the Upgrade version of XP you can do what you want to do. OEM
versions of XP won't do this. You will need the retail upgrade or retail
new install CD (more expensive).

To ensure that your system is totally compatible with XP you might want to
download and run the compatibility wizard here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/advisor.mspx

you might also want to go here to see the proper steps for upgrading:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316639#12
 
Use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard on the XP cd to save your files
and settings in case something goes wrong with the upgrade. I have seen
some comments about problems with upgrading over ME. Don't do a clean
install unless you are sure you have a handle on the motherboard drivers
your computer uses, especially with a laptop.
 
Whether you do an upgrade from Windows ME or a clean install - you will NEED
the Windows XP M/B drivers to get full functionality from the motherboard.
In fact, without them you way well get data corruption because you will not
be using the optimized I.D.E. drivers for your system. You will also need
the video drivers and sound drivers for your hardware.

This is especially prevalent with the NVIDIA class boards!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)

If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!


Colin Barnhorst said:
Use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard on the XP cd to save your files
and settings in case something goes wrong with the upgrade. I have seen
some comments about problems with upgrading over ME. Don't do a clean
install unless you are sure you have a handle on the motherboard drivers
your computer uses, especially with a laptop.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
Q said:
I want to upgrade to XP. Will XP require me to format and wipe out my C
drive? Will I have to reinstall everything? (My ME machine is rather new,
so
it's got the fast hardware needed for XP.) Or can it install itself
without
requiring a reinstallation of everything?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Q said:
I want to upgrade to XP. Will XP require me to format and wipe out my C
drive? Will I have to reinstall everything? (My ME machine is rather new,
so
it's got the fast hardware needed for XP.) Or can it install itself
without
requiring a reinstallation of everything?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Q. I just did a ME -> XP Home upgrade on one of my PCs. Like your's mine
was relatively new and all hardware was XP compatible. I backed up data on a
separate partition but never needed it. All went pretty smoothly. I ran the
pre-upgrade compatibility check and was made aware of some programs which
would need to be reinstalled. One thing that showed up as a result of that
check was the fact that my Intel on-board LAN drivers would need to be
upgraded. I went ahead with the XP upgrade but then I didn't have LAN access
to download the new driver updates. However, I knew I had the Intel
Motherboard CD drivers disk which had the XP drivers on it. That install
went fine and I had LAN access again. My point is, just make sure you run
the compatibility check and know what issues you might be facing. More than
likely, your upgrade will go without a hitch.
 
Q said:
I want to upgrade to XP. Will XP require me to format and wipe out my C
drive? Will I have to reinstall everything? (My ME machine is rather new, so
it's got the fast hardware needed for XP.) Or can it install itself without
requiring a reinstallation of everything?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Thanks to everyone who responded.
The results: mostly went well. Some programs had to be re installed. Only
ONE problem, XP correctly identified the "family" of my video card, but
every 20 minutes or so the screen would freak out. I downloaded the most
recent XP driver and all is well!! I am a happy camper.
-Richard
 
Q said:
new,
Thanks to everyone who responded.
The results: mostly went well. Some programs had to be re installed. Only
ONE problem, XP correctly identified the "family" of my video card, but
every 20 minutes or so the screen would freak out. I downloaded the most
recent XP driver and all is well!! I am a happy camper.
-Richard
Click to expand...
Screen freaked out again after two days. Any suggestions??
 
Q said:
Screen freaked out again after two days. Any suggestions??
Click to expand...

It's a long shot, but check your refresh rate. Lower it a bit. Perhaps
you've got it set too high and you're pushing the card and monitor too much.
 
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