conflicting advice on upgrades & compatibility

[Griff]

I'm on a Dell PC running Windows Me. For various reasons, I
want/need to advance my OS to Windows XP.

After collecting advice, I bought an XP upgrade from an
online store. However, before installing, I became
concerned about potential software incompatibility,
particularly with Soundblaster and "Disc Detector" --
whatever exactly that is. Essentially, I don't want to get
stuck with inoperable speakers or CD-ROM CD-RW drives after
the upgrade.

Today I visited a computer store (salesman-speak) and later
talked to two Dell support reps. The message I received was
that, had I purchased the XP software from Dell, they would
have sent me a product that would have eliminated such
potential incompatibility. It was suggested that the full
reinstallation XP would be able to recognize and accept the
existing drivers, software, etc. on my Me system.

Frustrated, I took the bait and have now purchased a full
reinstallation version of XP (with hopes of getting a
credit for my unused XP upgrade).

Have I let myself been misled? I understanding why the XP
upgrade is different than the XP clean installation, but
I'm not savvy enough to understand the software recognition
situation.

Thanks for any feedback/opinions. Just trying to figure out
where I am.

G

 

[Guest]

Well to a point you were mislead.... Xp upgrade has a
compatability chk that u can use to determine if xp finds
any problems so does the full version.... In windows me
just put the disk in drive and on the splash screen click
chk compatability...... Dell offered u that option so they
could send u an oem disk. But the full is better this will
allow you to do repairs to windows without having to
format and reinstall everything Unlike the DELL OEM disk
would make u do... Full was a good option upgrade is also
good.....(Note u can always go to the manufacturer of the
sound card and other cards u have and download drivers for
xp if you install xp and they dont work.....)

 

[Griff]

Thanks. You gave me detailed, understandable advice that I
can use. Much clearer and more substantial than all the
"customer support" I received from the people I talked to
today. I appreciate it.

G

 

[Richard Urban]

Disk detector (part of sound blaster) is not needed and be disabled without
any consequence!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Alex Nichol]

Have I let myself been misled? I understanding why the XP
upgrade is different than the XP clean installation, but
I'm not savvy enough to understand the software recognition
situation.

I think you have. There are drivers included with XP for just about any
device you may have had on a system bought new with ME. And most others
have drivers you can get from the makers. The *only* difference between
the Upgrade and Full disks is that the Upgrade Setup program makes a
check for the presence of a 'qualifying' previous version of Windows

 

[Plato]

"Disc Detector" --
whatever exactly that is. Essentially, I don't want to get

a pain in the arse if you ask me.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

a pain in the arse if you ask me.

Plato, did you move from New Jersey to the UK? ;-)

 

[Plato]

Plato, did you move from New Jersey to the UK? ;-)

And give up unlimited local phone and dialup ISP service for the flat
fees we pay, no way bro!!!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

And give up unlimited local phone and dialup ISP service for the flat
fees we pay, no way bro!!!

Then why did you spell it "arse"? ;-)

 

[Please reply to newsgroup.]

Well to a point you were mislead.... Xp upgrade has a
compatability chk that u can use to determine if xp finds
any problems so does the full version.... In windows me
just put the disk in drive and on the splash screen click
chk compatability...... Dell offered u that option so they
could send u an oem disk. But the full is better this will
allow you to do repairs to windows without having to
format and reinstall everything Unlike the DELL OEM disk
would make u do... Full was a good option upgrade is also
good.....(Note u can always go to the manufacturer of the
sound card and other cards u have and download drivers for
xp if you install xp and they dont work.....)

Dell Windows XP disks are stand-alone XP disks and as far as I know, you
can run repairs and stuff from their CDs.