Can't Update XP Home to XP Pro

[Dick]

I have XP Home that came with my Dell computer. It has been updated
to the latest. I have a full-version of XP Pro that I purchased
directly from Microsoft. I'm sure it is pre SP2 and probably pre SP1.
When I try to do an upgrade to XP Pro (booting at start) I get an
error message that it cannot be installed because it is older than the
version installed on the computer. How can I get past this?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I have XP Home that came with my Dell computer. It has been updated
to the latest. I have a full-version of XP Pro that I purchased
directly from Microsoft. I'm sure it is pre SP2 and probably pre SP1.
When I try to do an upgrade to XP Pro (booting at start) I get an
error message that it cannot be installed because it is older than the
version installed on the computer. How can I get past this?

You said it yourself: your version has been updated to "the latest.".

Your XP Pro doesn't have those updates.

Someone here will tell you how to get out of your predicament.

 

[Rock]

I have XP Home that came with my Dell computer. It has been updated
to the latest. I have a full-version of XP Pro that I purchased
directly from Microsoft. I'm sure it is pre SP2 and probably pre SP1.
When I try to do an upgrade to XP Pro (booting at start) I get an
error message that it cannot be installed because it is older than the
version installed on the computer. How can I get past this?

Create an XP Pro installation CD that has SP2 integrated on it. This is
called slipstreaming. Here are some links on how to do it. Autostreamer
makes it easier.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

Autostreamer
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have XP Home that came with my Dell computer. It has been updated
to the latest. I have a full-version of XP Pro that I purchased
directly from Microsoft. I'm sure it is pre SP2 and probably pre
SP1. When I try to do an upgrade to XP Pro (booting at start) I get
an error message that it cannot be installed because it is older
than the version installed on the computer. How can I get past
this?

Google...

"Slipstream SP2 into Windows XP CD"

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Google...

"Slipstream SP2 into Windows XP CD"

That is NOT an easy thing for most folks to do.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Google...
"Slipstream SP2 into Windows XP CD"

That is NOT an easy thing for most folks to do.

Google?
I beg to differ.

And the results from Google - well - they give some VERY easy methods/tools
to utilize to practically do the job for you. ;-)

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

And the results from Google - well - they give some VERY easy methods/tools
to utilize to practically do the job for you. ;-)

Not for newbs who don't even know how to format a floppie.

 

[Dick]

Google...

"Slipstream SP2 into Windows XP CD"

Thanks to you and others for that tip. I also have the Microsoft SP2
update disk, so that should make it easier.

Looks like I know how I will be spending tomorrow!

Dick

 

[cornedbeef007-groups]

Not for newbs who don't even know how to format a floppie.

I carnt even spell compooter, but I still made a slipstream disk.
What's up Grumpy, is too hard for you?

 

[Ghostrider]

Not for newbs who don't even know how to format a floppie.

They have to learn sometime. Otherwise, each newer version of Windows is
only going to get more dumb.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I carnt even spell compooter, but I still made a slipstream disk.
What's up Grumpy, is too hard for you?

Ever try to teach and old dog new tricks?? <g>

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have XP Home that came with my Dell computer. It has been updated
to the latest. I have a full-version of XP Pro that I purchased
directly from Microsoft. I'm sure it is pre SP2 and probably pre SP1.
When I try to do an upgrade to XP Pro (booting at start) I get an
error message that it cannot be installed because it is older than the
version installed on the computer. How can I get past this?

This means that your installed OS is at a higher service pack level
than is the WinXP Pro CD you're using. You'll either need to uninstall
SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove programs) before attempting the upgrade,
or try slipstreaming SP2 into older WinXP installation.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm



--

Bruce Chambers

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Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Dick]

Google...

"Slipstream SP2 into Windows XP CD"

I thought this would be easy, but I have run into a problem. I made
the slipstreamed CD OK. It boots and starts the installation process.
Goes through adding drivers, EULA, etc. When it gets to the drive to
install the OS on, it chokes. At first the software was identifying
my external hard drive on a firewire connection as the C drive. I
unplugged that and started again. This time the software couldn't
find ANY drives on my computer. I'm wondering if it has anything to
do with the Dell 9150 using SATA drives, and they weren't around when
this XP Pro disk was produced (although it now contains SP2.)

 

[John John]

I thought this would be easy, but I have run into a problem. I made
the slipstreamed CD OK. It boots and starts the installation process.
Goes through adding drivers, EULA, etc. When it gets to the drive to
install the OS on, it chokes. At first the software was identifying
my external hard drive on a firewire connection as the C drive. I
unplugged that and started again. This time the software couldn't
find ANY drives on my computer. I'm wondering if it has anything to
do with the Dell 9150 using SATA drives, and they weren't around when
this XP Pro disk was produced (although it now contains SP2.)

You will (may) have to use the F6 option during the setup and feed it
the SATA drivers on a floppy diskette. Pay close attention when the
setup routine starts, early on you will see a prompt at the bottom of
the screen telling you to "Press F6" to install Raid or Mass Storage
Device drivers. You MUST supply the drivers on a floppy diskette, the
setup program WILL NOT accept the drivers from any other media source.
Had you known earlier you could have incorporated the SATA drivers in
your newly created slipstreamed cd, incorporating the drivers in the
distribution media/point is the only way to supply the drivers without
using F6 and a floppy diskette.

John

 

[Dick]

You will (may) have to use the F6 option during the setup and feed it
the SATA drivers on a floppy diskette. Pay close attention when the
setup routine starts, early on you will see a prompt at the bottom of
the screen telling you to "Press F6" to install Raid or Mass Storage
Device drivers. You MUST supply the drivers on a floppy diskette, the
setup program WILL NOT accept the drivers from any other media source.
Had you known earlier you could have incorporated the SATA drivers in
your newly created slipstreamed cd, incorporating the drivers in the
distribution media/point is the only way to supply the drivers without
using F6 and a floppy diskette.

John

I followed your instructions and found the proper drivers on the WWW.
Took a while, but I finally got XP Pro to install. Unfortunately, it
didn't give me a choice to just upgrade. I had to choose between
installing in another folder or deleting the prior OS first. I chose
the delete and didn't realize how much I would lose. I have been
spending the day reinstalling programs. Probably take me a couple of
weeks, but I have the most important ones running. Biggest mistake
was in not backing up my e-mails first. I thought I had them backed
up on my external drive, but for some reason it didn't back up the
system files. Will have to deal with that later.

Thanks for all the help. I never would have figured it out on my own.

Dick

 

[John John]

I followed your instructions and found the proper drivers on the WWW.
Took a while, but I finally got XP Pro to install. Unfortunately, it
didn't give me a choice to just upgrade. I had to choose between
installing in another folder or deleting the prior OS first. I chose
the delete and didn't realize how much I would lose. I have been
spending the day reinstalling programs. Probably take me a couple of
weeks, but I have the most important ones running. Biggest mistake
was in not backing up my e-mails first. I thought I had them backed
up on my external drive, but for some reason it didn't back up the
system files. Will have to deal with that later.

Thanks for all the help. I never would have figured it out on my own.

You're welcome. Glad to see you got it going but too bad you couldn't
do a repair install instead on a complete new install. Oh well, at
least the pc is working again...

John