Setup cannot locate....

[Sanjay Shah]

This is an SOS

I tried to upgrade Win XP Home Edition to Win XP Pro using
Express menu. The setup program mentioned that it will
have to delete the current version before installing the
Pro version. Believing that Bill Gates had finally
straightened out his act, I click continue. It seemed to
have deleted the Home Edition and copied Pro version
files. However, now I am in the loop. When booted, it
offers me Win Home Edition, Recovery Console & Windows Pro
Setup program. When I select Setup program, it says "Setup
cannot locate the Windows installation you want to upgrade"

When I logged into Recovery console, I could detect one
Windows installations in c:\windows directory. How come
setup program doesn't recognize?

When I choose Win XP Home Edition during bootup process,
it offers to upgrade or repair the windows. I am afraid to
select this option because it might wipe out the contents
on the hard disk.

I have so many programs and data files without backup. How
do I recover? I'd appreacite help. Thanks.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Sounds as though you acquired an OEM version of XP Pro.
Only "Retail Versions" of Windows XP Pro can perform an
upgrade over Windows XP Home Edition. You'll have to
perform a "clean install" of XP Pro:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP again via the internet,
then select the option to "activate by telephone".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------


| This is an SOS
|
| I tried to upgrade Win XP Home Edition to Win XP Pro using
| Express menu. The setup program mentioned that it will
| have to delete the current version before installing the
| Pro version. Believing that Bill Gates had finally
| straightened out his act, I click continue. It seemed to
| have deleted the Home Edition and copied Pro version
| files. However, now I am in the loop. When booted, it
| offers me Win Home Edition, Recovery Console & Windows Pro
| Setup program. When I select Setup program, it says "Setup
| cannot locate the Windows installation you want to upgrade"
|
| When I logged into Recovery console, I could detect one
| Windows installations in c:\windows directory. How come
| setup program doesn't recognize?
|
| When I choose Win XP Home Edition during bootup process,
| it offers to upgrade or repair the windows. I am afraid to
| select this option because it might wipe out the contents
| on the hard disk.
|
| I have so many programs and data files without backup. How
| do I recover? I'd appreacite help. Thanks.