An upgrade to Windows XP Pro will not affect your current programs or files
if you use the following procedure:
1. Purchase a conventional "Retail Upgrade Version" of Windows XP Professional.
2. Uninstall your antivirus program.
3. Perform a backup of your important documents and files to a CD.
4. Disconnect all hardware peripheral devices, except the monitor, keyboard and mouse.
5. While running Windows XP Home, insert the Windows XP Pro CD in the drive and select
the default "Upgrade" setup option. [Do not select "New Installation"]
6. Visit the Windows Update site to download all the critical updates.
Note if you already installed SP2:
Unless SP2 is integrated into XP Pro, then one cannot
upgrade an existing XP Home w/SP2 installation using
a non-SP2 version of XP Pro. What you need to do is
create a SP2 "slipstreamed" version of XP Pro, then use
the new CD to upgrade over XP Home w/SP2.
You have two options:
1. Uninstall SP2 from XP Home, then upgrade to XP Pro.
or
2. Create a SP2 slipstreamed version of XP Pro (preferred)
and use the new XP Pro w/SP2 to upgrade.
Either one of the following utilities makes slipstreaming
(integrating) SP2 into Windows XP a breeze:
Windows Slipstreaming and Bootable CD Guide
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49
Information on AutoStreamer 1.0
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=188337&st=0&#entry245
Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
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| BEFORE I DOWNLOAD XP PRO. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO SECURE
| EVERYTHING ON HOME EDITION? OR WILL THIS JUST ABSORB MY
| CURRENT