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[Guest]

I have 3 computers at home. Two run Windows XP (one Home and one Pro). When I
recently bought the third computer, it came with XP X64. None of my personal
or business software will load properly. Since I work from home and have
strict IT requirements on what I use, I've been told by my work to replace
X64 with Windows XP Home or Pro.

Can I just load Windows XP Home without removing X64 first?

I'd appreciate anyone's help on this.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Frank

No, you can't.. a clean install is the only way..
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mike. That's what I thougth (even though my IT Help desk said
otherwise).

Can you direct me to web instructions on removing X-64 (someone told me to
go to "add or remove programs", but it's not listed there) and installing XP
(which I imagine will come with directions)?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Frank

In the XP family, the basic upgrade path (not including X64) is XP Home, XP
Pro, Home SP1, Pro SP1, Home SP2, Pro SP2.. I do not believe that Home
SP1/SP2 is regarded as an upgrade over X64, and so wouldn't work..

You need to boot from your XP CD.. go into BIOS and set the CD drive to be
first boot.. and then just follow instructions on screen.. when you get to
the point where it asks if you want to remove all partitions and start over,
you answer in the affirmative..

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com is a really good source of info on the
various ways to install XP.. Michael has all exits covered..

The process is easy enough.. just read at each stage such that you know
exactly the consequences of each step..

You can still boot from a Win 98 boot diskette, but you would need to know
the FDISK conventions to be able to remove the NTFS partition such that the
Format command on the boot diskette would see the drive at all.. stick with
the tools included on the XP CD, and use a boot diskette only if all else
fails..

Hopefully, you can supply feedback for the benefit of others that just lurk
and read, and me also such that I can see how effective my advice is..

Good luck..