Clean Install Windows XP

[Guest]

I got a Windows XP Home Original CD (Non OEM). I currently
have Windows ME runnin on my system which causes a lot of
errors, not stable enough. So now I don't know what to do
should I clean install XP or upgrade. If I upgrade the
registry of ME wuld be carried forward isnt it so then my
system will again experience problems isnt it. Now I have
1 Sony 4 GB Hard Disk with ME installed and another
Samsung HDD 40GB with 7-8 GB data. I dont wanna lose my
data. If I make a backup of all data onto CD'S thru my CD
writer how many CD'S will it take. Now I also wanna know
whether NTFS partition is better or my current FAT32 is
better. I also wana convert to NTFS partition if its
better so then I suppose I'll Have to format my disk is
that true? Then all my data will be lost isnt it. Now pls
suggest me somethin to do. Also is it possible for 1 fat32
and another NTFS to run side by side. Pls also tell me how
to clean install with such restrictions step by step if
possible coz I dont wanna screw up my system. Thanks in
advance.

 

[Guest]

XP doesnt need or any ME files,you can install xp cd,restart computer,boot t
xp cd,install xp,new copy.XP says not to install over existing os,delete ME,the
let xp format as it will by default,the ntfs file option should be available.ntfs ca
run along side FAT32,if ntfs isnt available,in xp,once installed,open cmd prompt
type:CONVERT C: /FS:ntfs ntfs is much more compact than FAT32,the only wa
not to loose any data,install in explorer in ME,then use the convert cmd,i've don
both ways,leaving ME on and upgradeing doesnt run as well.

 

[Guest]

Yes but one more qs if I install over ME thru Explorer
then will I get a completely new registry or will the reg
of ME just be edited by XP. Also what du mean when u say
that doesnt run as well in last line of ur post, does it
mean that XP doent run on ur system. Also the convert
C: /fs:ntfs comd is for convertin into NTFS and retaining
system files right, pls correct if im wrong

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I got a Windows XP Home Original CD (Non OEM). I currently
have Windows ME runnin on my system which causes a lot of
errors, not stable enough. So now I don't know what to do
should I clean install XP or upgrade. If I upgrade the
registry of ME wuld be carried forward isnt it so then my
system will again experience problems isnt it. Now I have
1 Sony 4 GB Hard Disk with ME installed and another
Samsung HDD 40GB with 7-8 GB data. I dont wanna lose my
data. If I make a backup of all data onto CD'S thru my CD
writer how many CD'S will it take. Now I also wanna know
whether NTFS partition is better or my current FAT32 is
better. I also wana convert to NTFS partition if its
better so then I suppose I'll Have to format my disk is
that true? Then all my data will be lost isnt it. Now pls
suggest me somethin to do. Also is it possible for 1 fat32
and another NTFS to run side by side. Pls also tell me how
to clean install with such restrictions step by step if
possible coz I dont wanna screw up my system. Thanks in
advance.

XP doesnt need or any ME files,you can install xp cd,restart
computer,boot to xp cd,install xp,new copy.XP says not to install
over existing os,delete ME,then let xp format as it will by
default,the ntfs file option should be available.ntfs can run along
side FAT32,if ntfs isnt available,in xp,once installed,open cmd
prompt, type:CONVERT C: /FS:ntfs ntfs is much more compact than
FAT32,the only way not to loose any data,install in explorer in
ME,then use the convert cmd,i've done both ways,leaving ME on and
upgradeing doesnt run as well.

Yes but one more qs if I install over ME thru Explorer
then will I get a completely new registry or will the reg
of ME just be edited by XP. Also what du mean when u say
that doesnt run as well in last line of ur post, does it
mean that XP doent run on ur system. Also the convert
C: /fs:ntfs comd is for convertin into NTFS and retaining
system files right, pls correct if im wrong

You have a non-OEM copy of Windows XP Home edition.
Is it "upgrade" or "full" version?

You have an unstable installed Windows ME.
You need to get rid of this. If it is unstable now, Windows XP upgrade is
not going to perform miracles.

Some of your registry would carry forward, for your applications and such.
Some would have not existed in Windows ME. Therefore, it had no where to
carry forward from.

You have a 4GB boot drive right now.
That is really small. And it probably is much slower than the 40GB drive as
well. In my opinion, you should get rid of the physical 4GB drive
completely. I am sure others will disagree, but a fresh XP install and
Office XP/2003 will take up well over 1GB (over 1.5GB actually) of your
space. That doesn't include any other programs you install. That doesn't
include the swap space it will use either. Get rid of the 4GB physical hard
drive, leave just the 40GB one, changing the cabling/jumpers/BIOS settings
to make it Primary Master.

Your 7-8GB of data will take two DVDs or thirteen CDs to backup. That will
take (just burn time) between 90 and 240 minutes to do. (As I state - that
is burn time only, does not include your time.)

FAT32 vs NTFS..
Well, NTFS has some benefits (stability/security) over FAT32. FAT32 is
sometimes touted as faster, marginally. Fat32 is also accessible from
normal Windows 98+ boot diskettes. But everything you do in FAT32 with
Windows ME, you can do with NTFS.

What are your choices? Well, I see two real ones that are safe:

1) Backup all data to CD, Fresh install on 4GB drive (Fat32 or NTFS),
leaving 40GB drive alone (backup was for safety) and then converting or
leaving the 40GB.
2) Backup all data to CD, remove 4GB drive, switch 40GB drive to master on
primary channel, Fresh install on 40GB drive - formatting NTFS (whole drive)
and then copy your data back.

Clean installs are simple:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm


Before connecting to the Internet with this computer:
turn on your firewall,
update with the critical updates (at least) found at
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
install/update your antivirus software
and install/update some anti-spyware apps

Good Luck!

 

[Cerridwen]

You have a non-OEM copy of Windows XP Home edition.
Is it "upgrade" or "full" version?

You have an unstable installed Windows ME.
You need to get rid of this. If it is unstable now, Windows XP
upgrade is not going to perform miracles.

Some of your registry would carry forward, for your applications and
such. Some would have not existed in Windows ME. Therefore, it had
no where to carry forward from.

You have a 4GB boot drive right now.
That is really small. And it probably is much slower than the 40GB
drive as well. In my opinion, you should get rid of the physical 4GB
drive completely. I am sure others will disagree, but a fresh XP
install and Office XP/2003 will take up well over 1GB (over 1.5GB
actually) of your space. That doesn't include any other programs you
install. That doesn't include the swap space it will use either.
Get rid of the 4GB physical hard drive, leave just the 40GB one,
changing the cabling/jumpers/BIOS settings to make it Primary Master.

Your 7-8GB of data will take two DVDs or thirteen CDs to backup.
That will take (just burn time) between 90 and 240 minutes to do.
(As I state - that is burn time only, does not include your time.)

FAT32 vs NTFS..
Well, NTFS has some benefits (stability/security) over FAT32. FAT32
is sometimes touted as faster, marginally. Fat32 is also accessible
from normal Windows 98+ boot diskettes. But everything you do in
FAT32 with Windows ME, you can do with NTFS.

What are your choices? Well, I see two real ones that are safe:

1) Backup all data to CD, Fresh install on 4GB drive (Fat32 or NTFS),
leaving 40GB drive alone (backup was for safety) and then converting
or leaving the 40GB.
2) Backup all data to CD, remove 4GB drive, switch 40GB drive to
master on primary channel, Fresh install on 40GB drive - formatting
NTFS (whole drive) and then copy your data back.

Clean installs are simple:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm


Before connecting to the Internet with this computer:
turn on your firewall,
update with the critical updates (at least) found at
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
install/update your antivirus software
and install/update some anti-spyware apps

Good Luck!

Shenan,

He actually has 12GB to back up which will require 18 CDs or 3 DVDs. ;o)

 

[Shenan Stanley]

anonymous wrote:

system will again experience problems isnt it. Now I have
1 Sony 4 GB Hard Disk with ME installed and another
Samsung HDD 40GB with 7-8 GB data. I dont wanna lose my
data. If I make a backup of all data onto CD'S thru my CD
writer how many CD'S will it take. Now I also wanna know

</snip>

Shenan wrote:

Your 7-8GB of data will take two DVDs or thirteen CDs to backup.
That will take (just burn time) between 90 and 240 minutes to do.
(As I state - that is burn time only, does not include your time.)

</snip>

Shenan,

He actually has 12GB to back up which will require 18 CDs or 3 DVDs.
;o)

heh - you are correct.. Better to backup that C drive since there are
settings, files and such he's not considering when just backing the D drive.
I guess I got over-zealous and ahead of myself. *grin*

Thanks for the catch!

 

[Guest]

See now instead of wasting so much time on writing around
18-20 cds if I try to fit all my data into the 4 GB HDD
and then install XP on formatted 40 GB then later
transfer all data on the 4GB to 40GB and formatting 4 GB
to NTFS also. OK that way no danger of CD's being
scratched or data loss. But for that I think I'll have to
format my 4 GB first thru dos coz it has ME installed then
I'll have to shift data over to 4 GB isnt it that too thru
DOS coz now I'll have no OS. Now formatting can be done
thru format c: by starting thru startup disk but now how
do I transfer the data I dont know any dos cmds or
anything. OK then after this all is over do I have to make
my 40 GB a master coz currently its slave in primary along
with 4GB or does XP boot thru slave also. And one non
related qs the speed of the 2 HDD's differs so that means
the 40 gb has to slow down to the speed of the 4GB as
theyre on the same channel isnt it, so should I remove the
4 GB or will it have no effect on the speed of 40 GB. Also
after all that now all I have to do is install XP Home on
40 GB NTFS and then in Windows I'll have to transfer data
from 4 GB to 40 GB and then format 4GB with NTFS ie if I
think of keeping it. So pls someone correct me at all
steps if I'm wrong.

PS : Sorry to harass u good ppl sooo much. . Hope u'll
dont mind.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

See now instead of wasting so much time on writing around
18-20 cds if I try to fit all my data into the 4 GB HDD
and then install XP on formatted 40 GB then later
transfer all data on the 4GB to 40GB and formatting 4 GB
to NTFS also. OK that way no danger of CD's being
scratched or data loss. But for that I think I'll have to
format my 4 GB first thru dos coz it has ME installed then
I'll have to shift data over to 4 GB isnt it that too thru
DOS coz now I'll have no OS. Now formatting can be done
thru format c: by starting thru startup disk but now how
do I transfer the data I dont know any dos cmds or
anything. OK then after this all is over do I have to make
my 40 GB a master coz currently its slave in primary along
with 4GB or does XP boot thru slave also. And one non
related qs the speed of the 2 HDD's differs so that means
the 40 gb has to slow down to the speed of the 4GB as
theyre on the same channel isnt it, so should I remove the
4 GB or will it have no effect on the speed of 40 GB. Also
after all that now all I have to do is install XP Home on
40 GB NTFS and then in Windows I'll have to transfer data
from 4 GB to 40 GB and then format 4GB with NTFS ie if I
think of keeping it. So pls someone correct me at all
steps if I'm wrong.

PS : Sorry to harass u good ppl sooo much. . Hope u'll
dont mind.

I don't mind.. I think you should breath once in a while.. *grin*
Try reading that thing you wrote above out loud.

I will say I think you would be better off in the long run burning the 18
CDs. =)
All that swapping might cause the older 4GB drive to crash, then where are
you at?