Crashed Drive + Upgrade Version = Dead Computer!

[Guest]

The C:\ on my machine died. I think it might have been virus-related due to
the messages I was seeing from Trend and Norton before it died.

Anyway, cleaned it up as best I could. Tried to work with Recovery CDs and
got no where. Then tried to re-install from the XP Home Upgrade CD and got
the predictable result because the Upgrade could not find a valid MS-OS on
the machine. I don't have the old W98 CDs due to overzealous house cleaning.


Am I just stuck shelling out for a full version?

Thanks. Jim.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

The C:\ on my machine died. I think it might have been
virus-related due to the messages I was seeing from Trend and
Norton before it died.

Anyway, cleaned it up as best I could. Tried to work with Recovery
CDs and got no where. Then tried to re-install from the XP Home
Upgrade CD and got the predictable result because the Upgrade could
not find a valid MS-OS on the machine. I don't have the old W98
CDs due to overzealous house cleaning.

Am I just stuck shelling out for a full version?

Probably.

You admit to "... overzealous house cleaning ..." being a reason for the
predicament you are in. Without qualifying media handy, you cannot install
the upgrade version of Windows XP Home Edition. If you have qualifying
media someplace - you can install (cleanly - without installing the other OS
first) Windows XP Home Edition. You only need the qualifying media long
enough to insert the CD when the installation from the upgrade version of
Windows XP Home Edition asks you to. After that, well - you shouldn't need
it again *unless* you get yourself in this situation again.

 

[Guest]

OK, thanks. It was years ago and I just didn't think I'd need those W98
disks again. Well, I'll see if I can find some qualifying media or some
extra money in the ole' check book. Thanks again for your quick reply.

 

[Guest]

A Win95 CD from Ebay is probably your cheapest option.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Alan]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I think you will find that Win 95 is not "qualifying" media. There is a bug
in the MS software that lets you think it is but I understand it doesn't
work (upgrade)
Alan

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A Win95 CD from Ebay is probably your cheapest option.

Jim wrote

Thanks for the suggestion.

I think you will find that Win 95 is not "qualifying" media. There is a
bug
in the MS software that lets you think it is but I understand it doesn't
work (upgrade)

For a *clean* install - the Windows 95 CD works great.
See: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.php

By design, Win95 should not work as a qualifying product. However, there is
a bug in the Setup program on Windows XP CDs (both Home Edition and
Professional). Apparently, Microsoft will not be fixing this bug. As a
result, though you will not be able to perform an upgrade installation from
a Win95 install, the following operating system CDs will suffice as
"Qualifying Media" for a clean install:

* Windows NT Workstation, Versions 3.51 & 4.0
* Windows 2000 Professional
* Windows 95
* Windows 98 (Original & Second Edition)
* Windows Millennium Edition