Need upgrade verification

  • Thread starter Thread starter P Harris
  • Start date Start date
P

P Harris

I've got a Compaq Presario laptop that had Windows ME
preinstalled. So, I don't have "qualifying media" CD
kit. Can I still do a clean install? Isn't my licence
number from the ME install sufficient?

Also, when I spoke to someone at Compaq, they insisted
that I need to buy the upgrade XP kit directly from Compaq
(something about needing extra drivers, and disk
partitioning needs). I'd rather not go this route, since
I don't want all of the "extras" that Compaq so kindly
added to this laptop.

Two questions:
1) Can I do a clean install without an ME disk?
2) Do I NEED to buy the kit from Compaq, or will a generic
one do?
 
1. No. You must have an actual Windows CD, not just the license.

2. Laptops require specialized drivers not found on the regular
Windows XP CD. The Compaq version would be best and
provide a smooth installation.

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

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

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


| I've got a Compaq Presario laptop that had Windows ME
| preinstalled. So, I don't have "qualifying media" CD
| kit. Can I still do a clean install? Isn't my licence
| number from the ME install sufficient?
|
| Also, when I spoke to someone at Compaq, they insisted
| that I need to buy the upgrade XP kit directly from Compaq
| (something about needing extra drivers, and disk
| partitioning needs). I'd rather not go this route, since
| I don't want all of the "extras" that Compaq so kindly
| added to this laptop.
|
| Two questions:
| 1) Can I do a clean install without an ME disk?
| 2) Do I NEED to buy the kit from Compaq, or will a generic
| one do?
 
Greetings --

It's 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.

Alternatively, or especially if all you have is an OEM Recovery CD
for the earlier OS, you can even start the upgrade from within the
current Win98/Me/NT/2K installation, and still elect to perform a
clean installation, to include formatting the drive. In this case,
there's no further request for the qualifying OS's installation CD,
because the installation routing "remembers" that you started from
within the qualifying OS. This process is more time-consuming, but
you get the same results: a clean installation of WinXP.

HOW TO Prepare to Upgrade Win98 or WinMe
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316639


Bruce Chambers

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