ME/XP Upgrade

[Adam]

I purchased the XP Upgrade for my 3 yr old ME computer. I
now need to replace the hard drive. I can't find the
original ME CD-ROM that came with the computer. Is there
a way to re-install the XP Upgrade without the Original
ME disc?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

As you have the Upgrade CD, you will need a CD from a previous version of
Windows to act as a 'qualifying' product. Without a Win ME/98 CD you won't
be able to install XP with the Upgrade CD.

 

[Niels]

I purchased the XP Upgrade for my 3 yr old ME computer. I
now need to replace the hard drive. I can't find the
original ME CD-ROM that came with the computer. Is there
a way to re-install the XP Upgrade without the Original
ME disc?

Hmmm.. We only have upgrade CD's and they work fine for a full install ?
I guess by having the right serial, every disk will fulfill your needs ;-)

 

[Malke]

I purchased the XP Upgrade for my 3 yr old ME computer. I
now need to replace the hard drive. I can't find the
original ME CD-ROM that came with the computer. Is there
a way to re-install the XP Upgrade without the Original
ME disc?

No. But I'm sure you can borrow a qualifying cd from a friend for the
few minutes you'll need it. Here is a link explaining what qualifies
for an upgrade:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/matrix.mspx

Malke

 

[Alex Nichol]

I purchased the XP Upgrade for my 3 yr old ME computer. I
now need to replace the hard drive. I can't find the
original ME CD-ROM that came with the computer. Is there
a way to re-install the XP Upgrade without the Original
ME disc?

If you are going to format and start from scratch, you do need a
'proper' (not OEM Restore) CD of a qualifying system that you can show
to Setup. You might be able to find one quite cheaply. But what I
would do is make a 'clone' copy of the system as it is onto the new
drive. What I use is BootIT NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com ($35
shareware - 30 day full functional trial)

Download, to its own folder, extract from the zip, run the bootitng to
make a boot floppy.

With the new drive plugged in as slave/secondary, boot the floppy,
Cancel Install, entering maintenance, then click on Partition work.
Highlight your C:,Copy, then on left select the new drive (HD1),
highlight the Free Space in it, and Paste.

You might then consider a resize up a bit. Or leave some free space so
as later to make a new separate partition it

Now click on 'View MBR' and in it highlight the entry for this new C
partition and click the 'Set Active' Click 'Write Standard MBR' and
Apply.

Close out, swap the disks to make the new one the one that boots, and
reboot into XP.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hmmm.. We only have upgrade CD's and they work fine for a full install ?
I guess by having the right serial, every disk will fulfill your needs ;-)

Yes - upgrade of Full of the qualifying product is fine. As long as it
is not one of the OEM Restore ones with no Win98/Win9x folder of cab
files