ME to XP

[Marinus]

I want to buy the normal full XP package not the upgrade
version so that I can upgrade my computer to XP Pro from
ME without doing a full wipe & format. This way if I do a
full format & re-install some time in the future I don't
need to install ME first.

The question: Can I install XP Pro (NOT the upgrade
version) over top of ME?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Yes, the full retail version of WinXP Pro can be used to perform
an upgrade over WinMe.

However, it's also quite possible to perform a clean installation
using an Upgrade CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete,
create, and format partitions as part of the installation process.

Simply boot from the WinXP Upgrade CD. The Upgrade CD checks to
see if a qualifying OS is installed, and, if it finds none, it asks
you to insert the installation media (CD) of that OS. Unfortunately,
an OEM "Recovery/Restore" CD will not work for this purpose; you must
have a true installation CD, complete with the "\Win98" folder and
*.cab files, or the "\i386" folder of WinNT/2K.


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

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You can perform an "Upgrade" to Windows XP from Windows ME
by selecting the default "Upgrade" option during the initial setup phase.
The other setup option, "New Installation", should only be selected if
your wish to reformat your drive (thus removing Windows ME and all
files), or install Windows XP on an available empty drive or partition
and create a dual-boot scenario.

Do not make the mistake of selecting "New Installation" and proceed
to install Windows XP in the same partition as Windows ME. The
end result will be instability and conflicts.

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

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

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


| I want to buy the normal full XP package not the upgrade
| version so that I can upgrade my computer to XP Pro from
| ME without doing a full wipe & format. This way if I do a
| full format & re-install some time in the future I don't
| need to install ME first.
|
| The question: Can I install XP Pro (NOT the upgrade
| version) over top of ME?
|
| Thanks for the help.

 

[Guest]

Just did this myself with no problem at all. Go for it!

 

[CS]

I want to buy the normal full XP package not the upgrade
version so that I can upgrade my computer to XP Pro from
ME without doing a full wipe & format. This way if I do a
full format & re-install some time in the future I don't
need to install ME first.

The question: Can I install XP Pro (NOT the upgrade
version) over top of ME?

Thanks for the help.

Do you really understand how to upgrade from ME to XP Pro? Why in
the world would you want to give MS an extra $100 to upgrade from ME
using a full version of XP Pro when you can do the same exact thing
with an upgrade version of XP Pro?

You NEVER need to install ME in order to do a clean full install of
Pro. The installation program only requires proof that you have a
copy of ME. All you would have to do is insert the ME CD to show the
installation program that you indeed have a copy.

Of course if you wish to spend an extra $100 or so, please do. Make
those MS stockholders even richer!

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I want to buy the normal full XP package not the upgrade
version so that I can upgrade my computer to XP Pro from
ME without doing a full wipe & format. This way if I do a
full format & re-install some time in the future I don't
need to install ME first.

No, you don't understand the requirements to use an upgrade
version.

The requirement to use an upgrade version is to *own* a previous
qualifying version's installation CD (not an OEM restore CD), not
to have it installed. When setup doesn't find a previous
qualifying version installed, it will prompt you to insert its CD
as proof of ownership. Just insert the previous version's CD, and
follow the prompts. Everything proceeds quite normally and quite
legitimately.

You should buy the upgrade version since you qualify for it, it
will do what you want, and it's considerably cheaper.

The question: Can I install XP Pro (NOT the upgrade
version) over top of ME?

Yes, but as I said above, you're better off with the upgrade
version.

By the way, note that the OEM version (which some people confuse
with the full version) can *not* do an upgrade.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I want to buy the normal full XP package not the upgrade
version so that I can upgrade my computer to XP Pro from
ME without doing a full wipe & format. This way if I do a
full format & re-install some time in the future I don't
need to install ME first.

The question: Can I install XP Pro (NOT the upgrade
version) over top of ME?

Yes you can (you run the CD from the ME). BUT

Provided you have a 'proper' CD of ME, not just an OEM restore one, you
can do a clean install with the XP Upgrade without needing ME installed
first - all you need do is show it that ME CD during the upgrade
process.

Also consider whether you *need* one of the extras in XP Pro, which are
really intended for corporate networks - if you have been running ME I
would expect XP Home (upgrade) would meet your needs just as well.

For the differences see
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

Make sure you have adequate hardware - especially *more* than the
'recommended'128MB of RAM

And Read Gary Woodruff`s article on upgrading to XP at
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

 

[Gary Tait]

Yes you can (you run the CD from the ME). BUT

Provided you have a 'proper' CD of ME, not just an OEM restore one, you
can do a clean install with the XP Upgrade without needing ME installed
first - all you need do is show it that ME CD during the upgrade
process.

If they but an upgrade version. Sounds like they are going to buy a
full version. of course, if they are confusing full version with OEM
version, OEM will not install over the original OS.