From XP Pro to XP home

[Guest]

When I first got my computer I installed Windows XP home on it, but then my brother-in-law upgraded it to XP Pro. I have noticed lately that there a few programmes missing from this, that require me to install the disc to get them back on to my computer. But unfortunately this disc is no longer available. I would like to re-install my XP home, as I know this is OK and I still have all the discs for doing this. But I am not exactly sure how to go about this. I am new to computing and dont want to do more damage than good. Do I just turn on the computer then put the start-up disc in, or is it more complex than that? I would appreciate any help that I can get. And, no, I cant go and ask my brother-in-law, as he is not there any more.

 

[Rifleman]

When I first got my computer I installed Windows XP home on it, but then

my brother-in-law upgraded it to XP Pro. I have noticed lately that there a
few programmes missing from this, that require me to install the disc to get
them back on to my computer. But unfortunately this disc is no longer
available. I would like to re-install my XP home, as I know this is OK and
I still have all the discs for doing this. But I am not exactly sure how to
go about this. I am new to computing and dont want to do more damage than
good. Do I just turn on the computer then put the start-up disc in, or is it
more complex than that? I would appreciate any help that I can get. And, no,
I cant go and ask my brother-in-law, as he is not there any more.

I don't understand. Pro is EXACTLY the same as Home, with a few added
networking and security functions, so what is it exactly that you are
missing?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

An upgrade to XP Pro is a one-way ticket with no uninstall option.
Backup your important files and documents to a CD, then perform a
"clean install" of XP Home:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| When I first got my computer I installed Windows XP home on it, but then my brother-in-law upgraded it to XP
Pro. I have noticed lately that there a few programmes missing from this, that require me to install the disc
to get them back on to my computer. But unfortunately this disc is no longer available. I would like to
re-install my XP home, as I know this is OK and I still have all the discs for doing this. But I am not
exactly sure how to go about this. I am new to computing and dont want to do more damage than good. Do I just
turn on the computer then put the start-up disc in, or is it more complex than that? I would appreciate any
help that I can get. And, no, I cant go and ask my brother-in-law, as he is not there any more.

 

[Malke]

When I first got my computer I installed Windows XP home on it, but
then my brother-in-law upgraded it to XP Pro. I have noticed lately
that there a few programmes missing from this, that require me to
install the disc to get them back on to my computer. But unfortunately
this disc is no longer available. I would like to re-install my XP
home, as I know this is OK and I still have all the discs for doing
this. But I am not exactly sure how to go about this. I am new to
computing and dont want to do more damage than good. Do I just turn on
the computer then put the start-up disc in, or is it more complex than
that? I would appreciate any help that I can get. And, no, I cant go
and ask my brother-in-law, as he is not there any more.

Hi, Heather. Going back to XP Home would be a downgrade, so you would
need to format the drive and clean install Windows. This means you
would lose all data on that drive. However, from your post I'm guessing
that your original installation came with prebundled applications like
an office suite and the like. No MS operating systems come with
applications like that, so unless you have the restore disk that came
with your computer, installing XP Home isn't going to give you that
office program you want. If you have an HP computer, you can restore
your computer to factory-condition by restarting and tapping F10. This
will get you into the Restore Setup. If you need more help, please
repost and be sure to give us some information about your computer.

Malke

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The only way to change from WinXP Pro to WinXP Home is to format
the drive and start over. There is no supported downgrade path or
technique.

Simply boot from the WinXP Home installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as
part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the
order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH