Upgrading HP Laptop.

[Neil Howie]

I have just taken delivery of an HP entertainment laptop, which comes
with XP Home. The "Getting started" booklet, which is not specific to
this computer, says "Caution: To prevent the loss of computer operating
system enhancements, do not install a retail version of an operating
system. In some cases, the loss of enhancements may result in an
unresponsive system."

I don't actually want to install XP Pro on this laptop, but I do want to
upgrade to XP Pro as I have one piece of software which won't install
without it. HP support are unable to direct me to any information about
how my system has been enhanced. They haven't exactly said that
upgrading will invalidate my warranty, but will no longer support the
OS. I can probably cope with that!

Does anyone have any experience of any loss of performance or
functionality from performing a retail Home to Pro upgrade on "enhanced"
HP machines? Is it even likely that HP have rewritten parts of Windows?

And as an aside, I am getting a bit fed up with web sites from HP and
the other big boys emblazened with banners stating "HP recommends
Windows XP Professional" and not making it an option on their machines.
HP say they haven't even tested XP Pro on my model.


Neil

Anti-spam - Domain is really oakleaf # idps ~ co + uk (change symbols to
dots)

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

I've no personal experience like yours --- except for having a Compaq notebook which came with XP Pro.

I want to point out that you "technically" do not have a retail XP, but an OEM XP. OEM's add hardware specific drivers, and sometimes customize IE, and will add on some applications.

You may do just fine with an upgrade to PRO, but I would highly encourage that you do make images of your hard drive beforehand. {Programs like Acronis True Image, Drive Image, and, BootitNG}. That way if things do not work ok, you have some means of returning to the prior state.

 

[Neil Howie]

Perhaps a misunderstanding - the XP Pro package I propose to upgrade
with is retail; I realize the installed version is OEM.

--
Neil

Anti-spam - Domain is really oakleaf # idps ~ co + uk (change symbols to
dots)




I've no personal experience like yours --- except for having a Compaq
notebook which came with XP Pro.

I want to point out that you "technically" do not have a retail XP, but
an OEM XP. OEM's add hardware specific drivers, and sometimes customize
IE, and will add on some applications.

You may do just fine with an upgrade to PRO, but I would highly
encourage that you do make images of your hard drive beforehand.
{Programs like Acronis True Image, Drive Image, and, BootitNG}. That way
if things do not work ok, you have some means of returning to the prior
state.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Not a problem. btw, what sort of CD did HP provide with this system?

I want to make a further note: Prior to doing a Windows upgrade, you *must* first disable any antivirus program and any anti-malware program !!
Additionally, disable the auto-startup of any other user application/program by using MSCONFIG and making appropriate changes in the Startup Tab.
Otherwise, the upgrade more than likely will go haywire during the process.

I recommend Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

Review the Startup common & Startup user sections.

Write down any changes you make prior to upgrade, then afterwards, take steps to re-enable what's desired.

 

[Neil Howie]

Thanks for the advice and the startup tool tip.

HP provide a recovery partition and a tool for making recovery CDs,
which will be the first thing I use. I'm currently preparing for the
migration from my old laptop, which is taking quite a long time!

--
Neil

Anti-spam - Domain is really oakleaf # idps ~ co + uk (change symbols to
dots)


Not a problem. btw, what sort of CD did HP provide with this system?

I want to make a further note: Prior to doing a Windows upgrade, you
*must* first disable any antivirus program and any anti-malware program
!!
Additionally, disable the auto-startup of any other user
application/program by using MSCONFIG and making appropriate changes in
the Startup Tab.
Otherwise, the upgrade more than likely will go haywire during the
process.

I recommend Mike Lin's Startup Control Panel
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

Review the Startup common & Startup user sections.

Write down any changes you make prior to upgrade, then afterwards, take
steps to re-enable what's desired.