Can I use my Gateway restoration CD to upgrade from ME to XP?

[Al]

I want to upgrade my gateway purchased computer which had
windows ME installed on it. I read and installation post
from a few years ago that said you can't use the
restoration CD provided by the manufacturer to upgrade the
operating system. Can I use the upgrade version or do I
really need to purchase the full install version?

 

[T.C.]

If you don't do a clean install, you won't need any CD as proof for
eligibility for an upgrade. If you're installing to the same hard
drive/partition where the previous version of Windows is, the Windows XP
Upgrade CD setup/install will find ME on your system and upgrade from there.
But, if you have trouble with the install, and ever have do a clean
reinstall, you'll be stuck, because the restoration CD won't be recognized
as proof of eligibility for upgrade. If you have an old Windows 98 CD, and
want to do a clean install of the Windows XP Upgrade (clean installs are
preferable): I would format the hard drive, boot with the Windows XP
Upgrade CD, and when you're asked for proof of eligibility for upgrade,
remove the Windows XP Upgrade CD, insert the Windows 98 CD, and browse to
the path of that CD for the proof, when accepted, swap back to the Windows
XP CD and finish the install.

If you don't have an old Windows 98 CD, AND you want to do a clean install
of the upgrade, and want the security of being able reinstall if your system
has future problems, then you'll have to purchase the full version of
Windows XP.

 

[Willit]

If ME is already installed on your system you do not have
to use a CD at all. It will read the program on your
system. It only requires a CD for a clean install. That
you cannot do with your image disk.

 

[D.Currie]

I want to upgrade my gateway purchased computer which had
windows ME installed on it. I read and installation post
from a few years ago that said you can't use the
restoration CD provided by the manufacturer to upgrade the
operating system. Can I use the upgrade version or do I
really need to purchase the full install version?

While the CD likely won't work as a qualifying product, if it's installed on
the computer, you can use the upgrade cd. The downside is that if you
upgrade your computer in the future, to the point that your Gateway CD won't
work anymore, then you won't be able to do a reinstall.

 

[Guest]

Just the upgrade is needed. But read the instructions/box
to makesure that your ME version is upgradeable to the xp
you want first.

Cheers

 

[Dave]

If you need to blow away your computer and rebuild it fresh, You could
always buy a full version of Win98, I have seen them as low as $20-25 on
ebay and other places, just look around.

If your really stuck

If you don't do a clean install, you won't need any CD as proof for
eligibility for an upgrade. If you're installing to the same hard
drive/partition where the previous version of Windows is, the Windows XP
Upgrade CD setup/install will find ME on your system and upgrade from there.
But, if you have trouble with the install, and ever have do a clean
reinstall, you'll be stuck, because the restoration CD won't be recognized
as proof of eligibility for upgrade. If you have an old Windows 98 CD, and
want to do a clean install of the Windows XP Upgrade (clean installs are
preferable): I would format the hard drive, boot with the Windows XP
Upgrade CD, and when you're asked for proof of eligibility for upgrade,
remove the Windows XP Upgrade CD, insert the Windows 98 CD, and browse to
the path of that CD for the proof, when accepted, swap back to the Windows
XP CD and finish the install.

If you don't have an old Windows 98 CD, AND you want to do a clean install
of the upgrade, and want the security of being able reinstall if your system
has future problems, then you'll have to purchase the full version of
Windows XP.
--
T.C.
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I want to upgrade my gateway purchased computer which had
windows ME installed on it. I read and installation post
from a few years ago that said you can't use the
restoration CD provided by the manufacturer to upgrade the
operating system. Can I use the upgrade version or do I
really need to purchase the full install version?