Upgrade or Clean?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave
  • Start date Start date
D

Dave

just wondering if I should by the full/or upgrade version
of Win XP. I have ME and I've noticed many people have
trouble with the upgrade. Any Suggestions?

Thanks, for any help/links etc.

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

I take it that when you say you've noticed many people have trouble with the
upgrade, you're meaning when they perform an upgrade to an existing
operating system, not that the trouble is necessarily caused by the install
CD itself. I am one to always recommend doing a clean (full) install of a
new operating system.

You can perform a full install using the upgrade version of XP, so long as
you have a retail install CD (as opposed to a Recovery or Restore CD
provided by the computer manufacturer.......I'm not certain if that type of
CD will work for "proof of OS" purposes) of a previous, qualifying operating
system. Windows ME is a qualifying operating system. When you perform the
full install using the upgrade XP CD, you will be asked to provide proof of
the previous operating system.......at this point, put the ME install CD in
the drive, and then reinsert the XP install CD when prompted.


Regards,
 
Hi Dave,

You can save yourself a few dollars by buying the upgrade disk. You can do a
clean install from it as well, so long as you have a qualifying "9X" or up
disk. My stand on upgrade vs. clean install is: You have bought a new
operating system, why not let it have a chance to show what it can do
without dragging along baggage from an old system. Most of the problems I
have observed with an upgrade install are the result of a problem that was
already there. It may not have shown itself so obviously until the upgrade
but, it was there. With a clean install, you will not have that potential.
My suggestion is: Check for hardware compatibility, back-up any files you
need to keep and do a clean install.

IMHO, JAX
 
Thank you for both of you're suggestions. I like the idea
of a clean install as well. I have a OEM Windows ME cd
that came with my comp, as far as I know it should
qualify. Do either of you (or anyone else) know a good
site that would give me a check list for performing a
clean install? I have a 60GB HDD partitioned into 3 20GB
drives. Will I be able to rewrite to the C drive alone or
will I have to back up the physical drive?

Thanks again,

Dave
 
Hello again Dave,

The following link will guide you through a clean install of XP.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
Thanks to Michael Stevens

You should be able to format and install on the "C" partition without
effecting the other drives but, as with any major change to the system, it
is best to back-up any important information before doing anything else.

LOL, JAX
 
Dave said:
just wondering if I should by the full/or upgrade version
of Win XP. I have ME and I've noticed many people have
trouble with the upgrade. Any Suggestions?
Click to expand...

Dave,

the judgment of Solomon would be to try an upgrade first. If it
does indeed produce a problem, remove everything (the
installation CD lets you do that during the installation), then
do an installation from scratch.

I always upgrade, and it always worked. Must have upgraded since
Windows 2.1.

Hans-Georg
 
You're welcome for the suggestions.

JAX has recommended an excellent site for clean install guide.

Yes, you should be able to rewrite to the C drive without it affecting the
data on the other partitions. However, if you have installed
programs/applications to the other partitions, you'll need to reinstall them
once you've installed XP.


Regards,
 
Thanks again, I've learned bunches here. I hope I don't
have to come back for any upgrade/install questions but at
least I know there is help out there.

Cheers
 
Dave said:
just wondering if I should by the full/or upgrade version
of Win XP. I have ME and I've noticed many people have
trouble with the upgrade. Any Suggestions?

Thanks, for any help/links etc.

Dave
Click to expand...

Prep for a clean install but do the upgrade as the first choice.

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
For upgrading to XP Home or Pro, see the links below.
http://aumha.org/a/xpupgrad.htm
XP Upgrade
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_2kupgrade.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_9xupgrade.asp
See the link below for steps on performing a Clean Install.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
Known problems with XP upgrades.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpupgdissues.html
Known Problems with Clean installs.
http://www.labmice.net/WindowsXP/Install/installbugs.htm
Top 10 Reasons for Moving to Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/top10.asp
Why Windows XP Professional?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/default.asp
Windows XP Professional Features
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/features.asp

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Back
Top