Windows ME vs. XP Home Edition

[Guest]

I currently have Windows ME installed on my Dell; however, I'm may purchase Windows XP Home Edition. 1) Is there a major difference in the operation systems to justify purchasing XP and 2) During XP installtion, is there a simple process to transfer my ME stored files to XP without losing information?

 

[archie]

Ross..
Come on...this has been asked over 10,584,834 times...do a little comparison
and searches on your own...ya' gotta learn to do some things by
yourself....OK...

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Yes, the differences between Microsoft's consumer-grade Win9x/Me
family of operating systems and Microsoft's business-grade WinNT/2K/XP
family of operating systems are substantial. About the only thing the
two classes of operating systems have in common is a superficially
similar graphics interface.

Have you made sure that your PC's hardware components are capable
of supporting WinXP? This information will be found at the PC's
manufacturer's web site, and on Microsoft's Windows Catalog:
(http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx) Additionally, run
Microsoft WinXP Upgrade Advisor to see if you have any incompatible
hardware components or applications. Also bear in mind that PCs
designed for, sold and run fine with Win9x/Me very often do not meet
WinXP's much more stringent hardware quality requirements. This is
particularly true of many models in Compaq's consumer-class Presario
product line or HP's consumer-class Pavilion product line. WinXP,
like WinNT and Win2K before it, is quite sensitive to borderline
defective or substandard hardware (particularly motherboards, RAM and
hard drives) that will still support Win9x/Me.

You should, before proceeding, take a few minutes to ensure that
there are WinXP device drivers available for all of the machine's
components. There may not be, if the PC was specifically designed for
Win98/Me.


HOW TO Prepare to Upgrade Win98 or WinMe
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316639

Upgrading to Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm


Bruce Chambers
--
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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Ross,

1) Yes, but only you can determine if the added support and beneifts are
worth the price. You need to ask yourself, "Is my system doing what I want
it to do? Does it support the software I want to use?". If the answer to
these is yes, then the answer is no.

2) Upgrades to existing systems generally preserve files, programs, and
settings. It is still advisable to make backup copies of files you do not
want to lose on floppy or CD.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

I currently have Windows ME installed on my Dell; however, I'm may

purchase Windows XP Home Edition. 1) Is there a major difference in the
operation systems to justify purchasing XP and 2) During XP installtion, is
there a simple process to transfer my ME stored files to XP without losing
information?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

An upgrade installation over your previous setup should preserve your files
and data though they may be moved to different locations as XP has different
locations for some of your information than in Windows 9x. However, do not
attempt such an installation unless you are well backed up.

There are no guarantees that something won't go wrong and if it does, it
could cost you your previous setup and lose you all your files.

Is there a major different to justify moving to XP. It depends on your
needs and how old your system might be. It depends on the applications you
generally use as well as the hardware you intend to use. If your system is
around 3 years old, I wouldn't advise this change without buying a new
computer.

If you have DOS programs or DOS based games to which you are wedded, this is
not a good move.

All that said, if you are inclined to make such a move, there are some
things you should do as far as preparation is concerned:

Check to see if your hardware and software is compatible with XP so you can
fix problem areas before moving to XP. The first step is to use the XP
Upgrade Advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

Be sure to bring your applications up to date for XP and all your drivers
before moving to XP. It also would be best to uninstall any firewall and
antivirus software before upgrading as either application can interfere with
installation. If you CD burning software, it's advisable to remove that as
well and be sure you have versions compatible with XP for installation on XP
as most earlier versions of such software needed upgrading for XP, the same
for firewalls and antivirus software.

 

[dave]

windows 'me' is a pile o crap get xp and enjoy less crashing

-----Original Message-----
I currently have Windows ME installed on my Dell; however,

I'm may purchase Windows XP Home Edition. 1) Is there a
major difference in the operation systems to justify
purchasing XP and 2) During XP installtion, is there a
simple process to transfer my ME stored files to XP without
losing information?