Seamless Upgrade from Windows 2000 Pro to XP?

[New Media Prof]

In the bad old days, you had to back up all your programs and files
before upgrading the operating system on you computer (or so I was
told).

I have a Sony Vaio laptop running Windows 2000 Professional. Its
ipconfig file, I'm told, was corrupted by a problem that Microsoft has
a very technical explanation for correcting. So I have 2 questions:

1. Is it TRUE that I can upgrade from Windows 2000 Professional to XP
seamlessly, without having to backup documents and software? I hear the
answer is yes.

2. Is it logical to assume the upgrade will correct the corruption
problem by establishing the needed files for wirelesss network
connectivity?

New Media Prof who is not a computer scientist

 

[Ted Zieglar]

You always backup before upgrading an operating system. It has nothing to do
with the "bad old days" - whatever that's supposed to mean. The first rule
of upgrading an operating system is: Backup.

The second rule of upgrading an operating system is: Don't upgrade over a
problem. Upgrades do not correct problems - that's not what they're intended
to do. First fix your problems, then upgrade.

The third rule of upgrading an operating system is: Prepare. Don't just
stick in the CD, read about the proper upgrade procedure first and
thoroughly prepare. There is a ton of good information on the internet about
how to upgrade Windows.

If you follow these three rules, upgrading an operating system is easy.

 

[AJR]

1. It is not mandatory to back up programs and files prior to upgrading -
however that is the "official" position if you ask for an "official"
opinion. The reason for back-up is in the unusual instance where the
upgrade "messes" up -
also if you have the program installation disks it is only necessary to back
up data - id the upgrade is OK there will be no need for the back-up
2. It is unclear (to me) re: "corrupted ipconfig file" - ipconfig is a
network/TCP/IP utility. Anyway I'm sure you will receive more useful
response.