Upgrade to XP Pro.

[Guest]

I would like to know if there is a way to protect all my applications and
keep them all functioning after upgrading to XP Pro. Having to re-install the
programs is a real pain and time killer. Thanks.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The upgrade process should be safe, but as usual there are no guarantees
with a major change such as an upgrade.
You should back-up all important data before you start the upgrade.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I would like to know if there is a way to protect all my applications
and keep them all functioning after upgrading to XP Pro. Having to
re-install the programs is a real pain and time killer. Thanks.

By definition, an "upgrade" (as opposed to a clean installation) means that
all data, programs, etc. are kept intact.

However there are no guarantees that it always works perfectly. However
unlikely, it's always possible that something might go wrong. For that
reason it's prudent to be sure you have a backup of anything you can't
afford to lose before beginning.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I would like to know if there is a way to protect all my applications and
keep them all functioning after upgrading to XP Pro. Having to re-install the
programs is a real pain and time killer. Thanks.

You've neglected to mention what OS you're currently using, so an
upgrade might not even be possible.

However, WinXP is designed to install and upgrade the existing
operating system while simultaneously preserving your applications and
data, and translating as many personalized settings as possible. The
process is designed to be, and normally is, quite painless. That said,
things can go wrong, in a small number of cases. If your data is at all
important to you, back it up before proceeding.

Have you verified that all of your PC's hardware components are
capable of supporting WinXP? This information will be found at the PC's
manufacturer's web site, and on Microsoft's Windows Catalog:
(http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx)

You should also take a few minutes to ensure that there are
WinXP-specific device drivers available for all of the machine's
components. There may not be, if the PC was specifically designed for
Win98/Me. Also bear in mind that PCs designed for, sold and run fine
with Win9x/Me very often do not meet WinXP's much more stringent
hardware quality requirements. This is particularly true of many early
models in Compaq's consumer-class Presario product line or HP's
consumer-class Pavilion product line. WinXP, like WinNT and Win2K
before it, is quite sensitive to borderline defective or substandard
hardware (particularly motherboards, RAM and hard drives) that will
still support Win9x.

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

Upgrading to Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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