I need some help with OEM XP Professsional, please

[Thomas Bunetta]

Hello,
I bought 3 copies of OEM Windows XP Professional (with hardware!), and am
about to install them on three machines at work...
(peer to peer LAN).
When I tried to run the compatibility check, I got the message Windows
couldn't upgrade this system and it shut down. Couldn't "upgrade this
version" (Win98SE).
Is there a way around this, or another way to check for compatibility issues
on the three machines?
Or am I doomed to wiping the drive and starting from scratch?
I have heard that the "import settings" feature sometimes leaves a lot to be
desired, are there other issues I should be aware of?
Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

[Guest]

If you can upgrade one of them do it and swap the hard
drive to the other machine. Wait to activate after the
swap.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

OEM versions of Windows XP are not designed to upgrade
over an existing Windows installation. Only "retail versions" can upgrade.
You'll need to perform a "clean install".

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

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]


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

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

|
| Hello,
| I bought 3 copies of OEM Windows XP Professional (with hardware!), and am
| about to install them on three machines at work...
| (peer to peer LAN).
| When I tried to run the compatibility check, I got the message Windows
| couldn't upgrade this system and it shut down. Couldn't "upgrade this
| version" (Win98SE).
| Is there a way around this, or another way to check for compatibility issues
| on the three machines?
| Or am I doomed to wiping the drive and starting from scratch?
| I have heard that the "import settings" feature sometimes leaves a lot to be
| desired, are there other issues I should be aware of?
| Thanks in advance,
| Tom

 

[Jim Macklin]

OEM versions of the operating system will not do upgrades.
If you can partition your drives and move your data then
format C:\ your OEM will install. Alternatively, backup to
CD or even easier, backup each computer on the LAN, format
and then do a clean install. Use that as an opportunity to
partition the drive. Do the clean install, install your
apps. Then reconnect to the LAN and copy your data back.
Do the next computer.

Or take the OEM back and buy retail upgrade versions.


|
| Hello,
| I bought 3 copies of OEM Windows XP Professional (with
hardware!), and am
| about to install them on three machines at work...
| (peer to peer LAN).
| When I tried to run the compatibility check, I got the
message Windows
| couldn't upgrade this system and it shut down. Couldn't
"upgrade this
| version" (Win98SE).
| Is there a way around this, or another way to check for
compatibility issues
| on the three machines?
| Or am I doomed to wiping the drive and starting from
scratch?
| I have heard that the "import settings" feature sometimes
leaves a lot to be
| desired, are there other issues I should be aware of?
| Thanks in advance,
| Tom
|
|
|

 

[Thomas Bunetta]

Thanks for your reply...
That's pretty much what I planned on, and got another link to DL the
compatibility check...
One thing bothers me about the report:
Hardware issues: Ports (COM & LPT) USB to Serial Port (COM5)
Universal Serial Bus controllers
Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port
Aren't these bus related (motherboard)?
Does this mean I can look forward to USB devices failing to work?
Thanks in advance,
Tom

OEM versions of the operating system will not do upgrades.
If you can partition your drives and move your data then

<snipped4BW>

 

[Jim Macklin]

XP SP1 fixes several USB issues. Whether your hardware will
support XP, perhaps with a BIOS update, perhaps with new PCI
cards, I don't know.

Run the XP readiness test at www.pcpitstop.com and maybe it
will give a little more advice about the upgrade. It is
free.

Check the motherboard manufacturer's web site to see if
there are XP issues.


| Thanks for your reply...
| That's pretty much what I planned on, and got another link
to DL the
| compatibility check...
| One thing bothers me about the report:
| Hardware issues: Ports (COM & LPT) USB to Serial Port
(COM5)
| Universal Serial Bus
controllers
| Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm
Port
| Aren't these bus related (motherboard)?
| Does this mean I can look forward to USB devices failing
to work?
| Thanks in advance,
| Tom
|
in message
| | > OEM versions of the operating system will not do
upgrades.
| > If you can partition your drives and move your data then
| <snipped4BW>
|
|

 

[Alex Nichol]

I bought 3 copies of OEM Windows XP Professional (with hardware!), and am
about to install them on three machines at work...
(peer to peer LAN).
When I tried to run the compatibility check, I got the message Windows
couldn't upgrade this system and it shut down. Couldn't "upgrade this
version" (Win98SE).

OEM copies will *not* do upgrade installs. You have to format the drive
and start clean (or get retail upgrade versions). You will then have to
reinstall third party software and applications, and bring forward data.
To help in that, read Gary Woodruff's article on Files and settings
Transfer at http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm