Install Windows XP

[----Jason----]

hello. I currently have Windows me. however, I have
just bought windows xp pro (upgrade). I have my old
windows me disc, so I understand that I can do a fresh
install of windows xp.

I have had many problems with windows me, and would like
to completely erase my windows me from my computer and
install xp.

how do I go about properly reformatting my hard drive and
installing windows xp pro (upgrade)?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Jason;
Follow this for a Clean Installation:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm
You will have to insert the Windows ME disk for a few moments as
qualifying media.

 

[Alex Nichol]

hello. I currently have Windows me. however, I have
just bought windows xp pro (upgrade). I have my old
windows me disc, so I understand that I can do a fresh
install of windows xp.

I have had many problems with windows me, and would like
to completely erase my windows me from my computer and
install xp.

how do I go about properly reformatting my hard drive and
installing windows xp pro (upgrade)?

Be sure the hardware is up to it - especially in having *more* than the
'recommended'128MB RAM. Make sure you uninstall any system utilities
like Norton, and any CD burning software.

I would first try running the XP from the ME and do an upgrade. That in
effect replaces the entire system, and it may then work without trouble
(this machine did over a very shaky ME). If it does not work out you
can still do the clean install, For that back up data, and read up at
Gary Woodruff's article on Files and settings Transfer at
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm, which may be useful, also his article
on upgrading to XP at http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

Then boot the XP CD direct. Enter Setup, and after the license
agreement take New Install. When it asks you to confirm where, hit ESC;
select and delete the current partition and make a new RAW one to be
formatted at the next stage

When it asks where Windows is, show it the ME CD in the drive. It must
BTW be one with a Win9x folder of cab files - not some OEM Restore CD,
for which you would have to restore then run as an upgrade

 

[Jason]

hello. I did an upgrade and all went well....so it looks
like xp should run fine as a clean install.

my computer is very powerful and can meet the requirements
for xp. I have 512mb of ram and a 1.8 ghz amd athlon.

I just want to be sure of what you are telling me. I have
2 hard drives and 3 partitions. c: fat32 (for windows
me), d: fat32 (hard drive images for manufacturer), and e:
fat32 (for my data). c: and d: are on disk 1 and e: is on
disk 2.

naturally windows me is installed on c:. so, you are
saying that when I clean install xp, I should delete c:
(by pressing 'd') and then create an new partition (by
pressing 'c').

since I am deleting c:, will the new (installation)
partition still be labled as c: when I recreate it?

if so, then that is all I have to know.

thanks in advance,

Jason

 

[Alex Nichol]

hello. I did an upgrade and all went well....so it looks
like xp should run fine as a clean install.

my computer is very powerful and can meet the requirements
for xp. I have 512mb of ram and a 1.8 ghz amd athlon.

I just want to be sure of what you are telling me. I have
2 hard drives and 3 partitions. c: fat32 (for windows
me), d: fat32 (hard drive images for manufacturer), and e:
fat32 (for my data). c: and d: are on disk 1 and e: is on
disk 2.

naturally windows me is installed on c:. so, you are
saying that when I clean install xp, I should delete c:
(by pressing 'd') and then create an new partition (by
pressing 'c').

It will show you the actual partitions and sizes, so check in advance
to be sure you select the right one.

Drive letters are not absolute things, but assigned by the system itself
when it first boots up. The one where you install XP will become C
(apart from a problem if you have a Zip drive connected at the time,
which is liable to push in and grab that letter).

I would not bother with the clean install, unless you *want* to clear
out all your software and start over. Only real advantage would be
getting the partition as NTFS immediately; and converting the one you
have to NTFS is easier than a complete reinstall

 

[Jason]

Hello. yes, my intent is to clean out my system.

thank you for your help.

Jason