nostaw said:
If I were to upgrade my computer that is currently running
Windows ME to Windows XP Pro, using the upgrade version
would all of my infomation such as documents,
applications, pictures, songs etc. remain on my computer
or would they all be deleted?
If upgraded properly, everything would remain on the computer. This does
NOT mean that even if you do everything right, you might not run into
trouble, but you have a better chance if you do things carefully and
methodically.
Download and install and use the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor. I think Paul
Thurrott's explanation is thorough on this:
http://tinyurl.com/ndth
Make sure you have drivers already downloaded (and burned to CD if you can)
for Windows XP and your Video Card, your sound card, your modem, your
network card, your motherboard chipset, your scanner/printer/other external
devices and so on. Doing this before you go buy will do two things:
1) Make sure that XP supports the device in question.
2) Save you time in case XP needs these files while upgrading.
After doing that - BACKUP ALL CRITICAL FILES! Anything COULD happen. Why
take the chance on everything working perfectly?
Make sure you follow the advise of the upgrade. If it finds applications it
will have issues with, UNINSTALL those applications before installing XP.
Download the latest/greatest version of that application or take note that
you may have to upgrade to maintain system stability.
I would say DON'T convert to NTFS just yet - during the install - wait a
couple of weeks, make sure XP is working correctly, then go into "Help and
Support" and look up "Convert to NTFS" - THEN do it.
And if you upgrade and for SOME reason cannot find your files, don't panic.
SEARCH the drives for one or two of your files. You'll likely find them.
