acdskye said:
I'm having a problem with the xp upgrade not recognizing that
there's an os "ME" already on the drive. It will let me do a clean
install to that disk or any other disk. When I do a clean install
it runs okay, so there doesn't seem to be any hardware problems.
The ME is an OEM version from Gateway and has been validated on MS
web site. The XP does recognize/accept the ME restore cd as valid.
What is the file/files XP looks for on the hard drive that tell it
there's an os there?
Could there be info missing from MBR?
Shenan said:
Did you purchase a retail/upgrade verison of Windows XP
Professional? Or an OEM?
OEMs cannot upgrade anything - clean installs only.
If the Windows XP Professional (if it is an upgrade only CD) does
recognize the Windows ME CD as valid - why not do a clean install?
That is a possibility with an Upgrade version of Windows XP CDs.
You just have to have the qualifying media available (the Windows
ME CD) when doing the install.
May want to read over the information here:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm
The upgrade is a retail version.
I would rather do it as an upgrade in order to save data,
programs, and settings.
This problem has given me one more reason for doing it as an
upgrade and that is to learn why it doesn't work.
Shenan said:
I still point you to the link I provided.
Also - you are leaving out enough information that it's difficult
(at best) to give you an answer.
You say, "... the xp upgrade not recognizing that there's an os
(ME) already on the drive ..."
How do you know this? You put in the CD while you were in Windows
ME and it autoran or you opened the CD to start it running and
"upgrade" was/was not an option?
Or are you trying to boot from the CD instead and perform the
install that way?
Also - have you uninstalled any antivirus/antispyware/firewall
software that may be preventing you from performing the upgrade
properly?
After reading your question I reread the instructions for the
umpteenth time. I see there are two ways to interpet them. It
tells me to turn on computer and then insert cd. I took that to
mean before os booted so that it booted from cd. Should I actually
be loading cd after the system boots?
Boot system as is - with Windows ME.
Log in.
Put in Windows XP upgrade CD.
Let it autorun or open the drive to make it autorun/run setup from the CD.
Choose to "upgrade".
May want to read over this first:
How to prepare to upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316639
Straight from this article:
How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
http://www.support.microsoft.com/kb/316941
----
How toupgrade to Windows XP:
1. Start your computer, and then insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the
CD-ROM drive.
2. If Windows automatically detects the CD-ROM, click Install Windows to
start the Windows XP Setup Wizard.
If Windows does not automatically detect the CD-ROM, click Start, click
Run, type the following command, and then click OK:
CD-ROM drive letter:\setup.exe
3. When you are prompted to select an installation type, select Upgrade
(the default setting), and then click Next.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the upgrade.
