I want to get rid of XP OEM and start fresh

[Lynne]

I wondered why he just kept repeating himself, rather than actually
responding to my question. This was online, with both of us typing, so it
got a little redundant. I kept asking and he kept giving me the same answer.
When I told him I doubted I was the only person on the planet that wanted
to do this, I got a "I've given you the correct answer, deal with it" type
of response. Now, I'm mulling over the wisdom of buying a brand new hard
drive (as a 2nd drive - set as the master) and starting from that point,
keeping my current drive (with everything I've accumulated for the past year
intact) as a 2nd drive. I think I read somewhere that I can transfer old
files and settings from old drive to new during the installation. I'll do
some more research. Anyone have any advice on trying this avenue or am I
making a simple process even more complicated? Lynne

 

[Kerry Brown]

I wondered why he just kept repeating himself, rather than actually
responding to my question. This was online, with both of us typing, so it
got a little redundant. I kept asking and he kept giving me the same
answer.
When I told him I doubted I was the only person on the planet that wanted
to do this, I got a "I've given you the correct answer, deal with it" type
of response. Now, I'm mulling over the wisdom of buying a brand new hard
drive (as a 2nd drive - set as the master) and starting from that point,
keeping my current drive (with everything I've accumulated for the past
year
intact) as a 2nd drive. I think I read somewhere that I can transfer old
files and settings from old drive to new during the installation. I'll do
some more research. Anyone have any advice on trying this avenue or am I
making a simple process even more complicated? Lynne

Having a second drive can be a nice option. You can store backups on the
second drive. Before going any further, have you made backup CD/DVD's of the
restore partition? I would do this before proceeding. Then in the worst case
scenario or if you want to sell the computer in the future you can restore
it to the factory settings. Once you have a verified CD/DVD backup make a
second copy. Then you can delete the restore partition and do whatever you
want regarding hard drives, partitioning etc.

You can transfer some program settings and all of your data files to a new
install from a second hard drive. In most cases you can't transfer the
actual programs. They will need to be reinstalled. If you use any of the
original Compaq supplied programs this isn't possible without restoring the
whole setup. It's a catch-22 with most brand name PC's. It is possible using
the installation software supplied with some hard drives or programs like
Norton Ghost to make a clone of your old hard drive to the new one and
proceed from there. You would still run into the original upgrade problem of
OEM to Retail possibly not working unless you format and do a clean install.
At least you would still have your original setup on the old drive if
needed. You may also have to disconnect the old drive while doing the
install. Windows will see the OEM XP on the second drive and may not allow
install. You would also have to take ownership of the files on the second
drive after doing a clean install. The procedure is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&sd=tech

Kerry

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Tom

I have seen your posts in other newsgroups, as well you know.. you have a
tendency to want to criticize others, especially if they are using terms
other than what you feel they should.. good for you..

Re. my status as an MVP, if Microsoft feel that my standard of support no
longer qualifies for the status, I will lose it.. MVP is not a lifetime
award.. it has to be earned yearly..

You are going to have to wait until 2006 to see the outcome.. either that or
complain to the MVP organisation about my performance.. e-mail me, and I
will send you the IDs of people to whom you can forward complaints.. maybe
you could get me struck of before 2006.. would that make you feel better?..
your call..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Tom]

No, not my goal to complain about your lack of patience or virtues thereof
of an MVP. I don't care that you really have those initials, they only mean
as much as the person who wants to represent those letters. I criticize when
I feel it is needed, and it is something I don't do with some kind of
pleasure. As such, I also take criticism, and find fault in myself when it
is pointed out to me, I have no problem with that as well.

You simply got bent over simple question, somehow tying it to your personal
vision of what my persona is to you, that I am not really asking the
question that I did, if for some ulterior motives; that is your problem,
not mine. I take words for what they are in these forums, without placing
some personality that I may or may not know exist, to those those words. I
also do not make words mean something else, that isn't standard, hence why I
asked you straight up what you meant, though such a request seemed a bit
more than you could handle.

Time to move on now!

 

[Lynne]

Yes, I made the restore/recovery disks that Compaq setup suggested. I guess
that is the same thing as a backup of the restore partition. I didn't make a
backup set, which is an excellent idea. I do have another question regarding
transfering data files if I go the 2nd hard drive route (I have 2 on my
other computer and it's a nice option). I use Outlook Express - will my
e-mails transfer as well from old to new? OE would be installed w/IE, so,
the program would be available in the new setup. I have Norton SystemWorks
Premier (or whatever they call it - it has a full version of Ghost) - I'll
read up on it, too. I agree, it would transfer all of the content intact,
but the OEM OS would be a part of the process. I don't mind doing fresh
installs of the other programs and hardware drivers, but I'm not crazy about
the tweaking and customizing of Windows itself. But, I'll gladly do it so I
can have my own version of XP rather than having to settle for what Compaq
thinks I need. This computer is the first one I've ever bought from a
retailer. It was too good a deal to pass up. We've always had ours custom
built and then upgraded as we saw fit. This has been a whole new experience
for me. I've been really happy with it and it's running great. I've just got
this "bug" to get finally make it my own now that the warranty is up. I'll
be installing a new video card as well. I play a lot of computer games
(adventure, not action) and higher quality graphics is important. Again,
thank you. I appreciate your input - Lynne

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Tom

When your answers to people are beyond reproach and correct in every way,
then you have a case to criticize others.. presently, you are a long way off
of the mark and you know it..

I took task with you originally because your contributions do little to help
OPs, and your criticisms of those that do try to help also have little
value.. I assume that you will strive to improve as you expect others so to
do..

See you around the newsgroups..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Kerry Brown]

Yes, I made the restore/recovery disks that Compaq setup suggested. I
guess
that is the same thing as a backup of the restore partition. I didn't make
a
backup set, which is an excellent idea. I do have another question
regarding
transfering data files if I go the 2nd hard drive route (I have 2 on my
other computer and it's a nice option). I use Outlook Express - will my
e-mails transfer as well from old to new? OE would be installed w/IE, so,
the program would be available in the new setup. I have Norton SystemWorks
Premier (or whatever they call it - it has a full version of Ghost) - I'll
read up on it, too. I agree, it would transfer all of the content intact,
but the OEM OS would be a part of the process. I don't mind doing fresh
installs of the other programs and hardware drivers, but I'm not crazy
about
the tweaking and customizing of Windows itself. But, I'll gladly do it so
I
can have my own version of XP rather than having to settle for what Compaq
thinks I need. This computer is the first one I've ever bought from a
retailer. It was too good a deal to pass up. We've always had ours custom
built and then upgraded as we saw fit. This has been a whole new
experience
for me. I've been really happy with it and it's running great. I've just
got
this "bug" to get finally make it my own now that the warranty is up. I'll
be installing a new video card as well. I play a lot of computer games
(adventure, not action) and higher quality graphics is important. Again,
thank you. I appreciate your input - Lynne

To import/export emails in Outlook Express

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;257173

From everything you've said so far I think the best option is to do a clean
install on a new drive keeping your old drive intact. Copy over whatever
data you need once the install is done. Keep the old drive as is for a few
weeks to make sure you're not missing anything. Once you are sure you have
everything you need format the old drive and use it for something else.

Kerry

 

[Lynne]

I agree - that's what I did with my other computer - clean installation on
the new disk, then reinstalled, etc. as I went along. I think I kept the old
disk contents intact for a good month or so. Now, I use it for backup. I'd
forgotten that this was what I'd done. Thanks for reminding me. Lynne

 

[Tom]

Whatever, you obviously pick and choose what I post to see what help I don't
give for your own defense, and I give answers here that are of help quite
often. I have read your posts also, and you complain about something I do,
then violate that by doing it also. If you want "Official" to mean something
to you, then that is fine, you have shown already that words mean something
to you other than mainstream meanings. Considering what I first approached
you on about your use of words, the OP has an Official install of XP on her
PC. I asked you a question regarding your term, and again as usual, your
penchant for looking into things more than I do, is your problem, not mine.

Keep in mind your comment regarding what help one offers around here, then
we'll see how much you give, and how you criticize, or not criticize others
that give almost no help here, and belittle others).

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Tom

You do to others what you do to me.. none of us care particularly, and you
just get seen for the supercilious nitpicking idiot that you are..

From this date on, I will no longer reply to you as long threads like this
one do not help the people who have problems.. you are unwilling to share
your e-mail ID with me, so I can only assume that your purpose in life is
attempting to humiliate others in public.. good for you..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Whatever, you obviously pick and choose what I post to see what help
I don't give for your own defense, and I give answers here that are
of help quite often. I have read your posts also, and you complain about
something I do, then violate that by doing it also. If you want
"Official" to mean something to you, then that is fine, you have
shown already that words mean something to you other than mainstream
meanings. Considering what I first approached you on about your use
of words, the OP has an Official install of XP on her PC. I asked you
a question regarding your term, and again as usual, your penchant for
looking into things more than I do, is your problem, not mine.
Keep in mind your comment regarding what help one offers around here,
then we'll see how much you give, and how you criticize, or not
criticize others that give almost no help here, and belittle others).

Bottom line Tom, you didn't want to accept that you WERE actually splitting
hairs and Mike didn't think it was necessary for what ever reason [he does
have a real life BTW] to look at both sides of the split. Mike explained
what he meant. So instead of accepting that both of you were actually in
agreement but just stating it differently you chose to insult Mike and make
a big deal out of nothing. Then you escalate it until it becomes a personal
vendetta. This a pattern you use and is not necessary or productive to peer
support newsgroups.
Tom feedback is good from all sides of the equation, but try to keep it
productive instead of confrontational. Think, would I say this the same way
face to face?
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[XS11E]

but try to keep it productive instead of confrontational.

What a unique idea! But wouldn't that destroy the Usenet we've all
come to know and love over the years? <G>

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

What a unique idea! But wouldn't that destroy the Usenet we've all
come to know and love over the years? <G>

Of course it would, but for these particular newsgroups, it would not make a
difference because of the legitimate volume of posts that need real replies
with real help. When posts become a piXXing match, nobody wins or benefits.
Tom has a pattern of nitpicking a reply and escalating the nitpicking to the
ridiculous. It is not necessary to deride a person to make a point.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm