Yes, using a "Full Version" of XP Pro and performing
a "Repair Install" will preserve the programs.
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]
--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Thanks for quick response. What if I bought XP Pro Full
| Version. Would I be able to do a "repair" install rather
| than clean even though the XP CD Key would not tally with
| that already installed?? My objective is to try and
| retain some of the existing programs/data if at all
| possible.
| Thanks
| Dave
| >-----Original Message-----
| >No, you cannot install Windows XP Home Edition over
| >an existing Windows XP Pro installation. You'll need to
| >purchase a "Full Version" of XP Home and perform a
| >"clean install".
| >
| >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.
| >
| >NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed,
| physically disconnect the
| > EIDE and power cable to it before
| proceeding, otherwise your main
| > hard drive may not be assigned the
| customary C: drive letter.
| > After installing Windows XP, you may then
| reconnect it.
| >
| >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]
| >
| >Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP via the
| internet,
| > then select the option to "activate by
| telephone".
| >
| >--
| >Carey Frisch
| >Microsoft MVP
| >Windows XP - Shell/User
| >
| >Be Smart! Protect your PC!
| >
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
| >
| >----------------------------------------------------------
| ---------------------------
| >
| message:
| > | >
| >| Background:
| >| I've been given an ex-company PC with XP Pro already
| >| installed but no disks. I want to buy and install an
| >| official copy of XP (preferably Home, I don't really
| need
| >| Pro so cheaper option is better for me).
| >|
| >| Here is my dilemma:
| >| The version of XP Pro already on the PC has possibly
| >| suffered some registry damage (no toolbar, no desktop
| and
| >| Explorer and IE won't start although certain programs
| can
| >| still be run from Task Manager browse). I would like
| if
| >| possible to preserve some of the programs/data already
| on
| >| PC when new OS is installed. I assume that my only
| route
| >| is to buy either Home Full Version or Pro Full
| version.
| >| Will Home install over Pro and can I avoid Losing
| >| everything already installed??
| >
| >.
| >
