upgrade from xp home to xp pro question

[Guest]

I have a Gateway 7405 that came with XP Home already installed. I would like
to upgrade to XP pro and purchased a retail XP Pro upgrade version. I have
the product key.

I attempted an installation per the included instructions and the hal.dll
became deleted or corrupt. The error message was something like "Windows
cannot find the installation you are attempting to upgrade."

I spoke with a Microsoft Customer service tech who advised that my antivirus
software and my cd burning software was most likely causing a conflict. They
helped me restore my original configuration. I removed the conflicting
software and proceeded to upgrade to XP Pro successfully. However, during the
install, the viaagp1.sys file could not be located and I was prompted to
enter a path to the file. This file is not readily accessible on the Gateway
restore DVD nor does it appear to be included on the XP Pro cd. I skipped
this step and the result was that I am locked to a 800x600 display and the
ATI drivers won't install. The ATI set up displays a "install a standard vgi
driver before installing this" message. I attempted to install a standard vgi
driver but all it did was freeze the computer during boot up.

I backed up all my data on another computer and attempted a full install by
booting off the XP Pro CD. I received the message that Windows could not
confirm that there was a valid windows installation and prompted me to insert
a valid Windows CD. However, all I have is the Gateway restore DVD which XP
Pro could not read. I have the windows key and authenticity sticker on the
bottom of the computer.

I would like some advise as to my next logical action. I seem to be in a
loop. Perhaps I am missing something. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

thanks

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You'll need a "Full Version" of Windows XP Pro
in order to perform a clean install.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I have a Gateway 7405 that came with XP Home already installed. I
would like to upgrade to XP pro and purchased a retail XP Pro upgrade
version. I have the product key.

I attempted an installation per the included instructions and the
hal.dll became deleted or corrupt. The error message was something
like "Windows cannot find the installation you are attempting to
upgrade."

I spoke with a Microsoft Customer service tech who advised that my
antivirus software and my cd burning software was most likely causing
a conflict. They helped me restore my original configuration. I
removed the conflicting software and proceeded to upgrade to XP Pro
successfully. However, during the install, the viaagp1.sys file could
not be located and I was prompted to enter a path to the file. This
file is not readily accessible on the Gateway restore DVD nor does it
appear to be included on the XP Pro cd. I skipped this step and the
result was that I am locked to a 800x600 display and the ATI drivers
won't install. The ATI set up displays a "install a standard vgi
driver before installing this" message. I attempted to install a
standard vgi driver but all it did was freeze the computer during
boot up.

I backed up all my data on another computer and attempted a full
install by booting off the XP Pro CD. I received the message that
Windows could not confirm that there was a valid windows installation
and prompted me to insert a valid Windows CD. However, all I have is
the Gateway restore DVD which XP Pro could not read. I have the
windows key and authenticity sticker on the bottom of the computer.

I would like some advise as to my next logical action. I seem to be
in a loop. Perhaps I am missing something. Any suggestion would be
appreciated.

thanks

Did you check the Gateway web site for a video drivers?
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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[Guest]

thanks Carey,

Do you have any suggestions why I am getting the hal.dll error message or
how to successfully upgrade the operating system?

 

[Guest]

The Gateway website does not provide the viaagp1.sys and neither does the VIA
website.

After I got the computer back to its original state, I saved a copy of the
viaagp1.sys file to my other computer in case I would need it. I am trying
to get some advice on upgrading in case I have overlooked a step before I
attempt the upgrade procedure for a third time.