Upgrade vs. Full Install

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I am trying to decide whether to get XP Pro upgrade or full install. I am
now running win 2000 pro and it has been awhile since I did an upgrade to my
operating system. I don't know that much about XP pro, like does everything
propagate over or do you have to do additional installs or does it recognizes
everything if you do an upgrade or full install.

I really don't know the difference of what full install does different from
Upgrade. I just need to be heading in the right direction.

Thanks
 
I successful upgrade would keep all your settings, documents, hardware drivers,
and applications intact and fully functional. However, it has been my experience
that OS upgrades are problematic.

If you have good backups of your data files, have good CDs to reinstall your
applications (and have the CD keys as well), your PC hardware is up to snuff for
handling XP, and you can download XP drivers for your hardware beforehand (such
as video, sound, NIC, printer, etc.) then I would recommend a full new install of
XP.
 
xwdpuzzler said:
I am trying to decide whether to get XP Pro upgrade or full install. I am
now running win 2000 pro and it has been awhile since I did an upgrade to my
operating system. I don't know that much about XP pro, like does everything
propagate over or do you have to do additional installs or does it recognizes
everything if you do an upgrade or full install.

I really don't know the difference of what full install does different from
Upgrade. I just need to be heading in the right direction.

Thanks
Click to expand...


Simply put, an Upgrade would preserve you currently installed
applications and data, whereas a "full" install implies formatting the
hard drive and having to re-install everything from scratch.

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 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.

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.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell
 
xwdpuzzler said:
I am trying to decide whether to get XP Pro upgrade or full install.
I am now running win 2000 pro and it has been awhile since I did an
upgrade to my operating system. I don't know that much about XP pro,
like does everything propagate over or do you have to do additional
installs or does it recognizes everything if you do an upgrade or
full install.

I really don't know the difference of what full install does
different from Upgrade. I just need to be heading in the right
direction.
Click to expand...


There are two entirely different questions implicit in what you ask above:

1. Should I get the Upgrade version or the Full Version?

2. Should I do an upgrade installation or a clean installation.

To answer the first question first: you should definitely get the Upgrade
version, since it is considerably cheaper than the Full version, and you
qualify for it. The two contain exactly the same software, and both can do
either a clean installation or an upgrade installation. The *only*
difference between the two is that to do a clean installation with the
Upgrade version, you have to have a CD of a prior qualifying version
(Windows 2000 will do) to insert when prompted, as proof of ownership.

Also note that there is a third type of CD: an OEM version. This type will
do a clean installation only and comes with a couple of other restrictions.
the most severe of those restrictions is that its license ties it
permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can never legally be
moved to another computer, sold, or given away. For that reason, and since
it usually costs only slightly less than an Upgrade version, I do not
recommend it.

Regarding the second question, I recommend doing an upgrade installation
Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing cleanly is
the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous versions of Windows, an
upgrade to XP replaces almost everything, and usually works very well.

My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier
than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.

However, don't assume that doing an upgrade relieves you of the need to
backup your data, etc. before beginning. Before starting to upgrade, it's
always prudent to recognize that things like a sudden power loss can occur
in the middle of it and cause the loss of everything. For that reason you
should make sure you have backups and anything else you need to reinstall if
the worst happens.
 
Thanks you for all your suggestions.

Ken Blake said:
There are two entirely different questions implicit in what you ask above:

1. Should I get the Upgrade version or the Full Version?

2. Should I do an upgrade installation or a clean installation.

To answer the first question first: you should definitely get the Upgrade
version, since it is considerably cheaper than the Full version, and you
qualify for it. The two contain exactly the same software, and both can do
either a clean installation or an upgrade installation. The *only*
difference between the two is that to do a clean installation with the
Upgrade version, you have to have a CD of a prior qualifying version
(Windows 2000 will do) to insert when prompted, as proof of ownership.

Also note that there is a third type of CD: an OEM version. This type will
do a clean installation only and comes with a couple of other restrictions.
the most severe of those restrictions is that its license ties it
permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can never legally be
moved to another computer, sold, or given away. For that reason, and since
it usually costs only slightly less than an Upgrade version, I do not
recommend it.

Regarding the second question, I recommend doing an upgrade installation
Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing cleanly is
the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous versions of Windows, an
upgrade to XP replaces almost everything, and usually works very well.

My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier
than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.

However, don't assume that doing an upgrade relieves you of the need to
backup your data, etc. before beginning. Before starting to upgrade, it's
always prudent to recognize that things like a sudden power loss can occur
in the middle of it and cause the loss of everything. For that reason you
should make sure you have backups and anything else you need to reinstall if
the worst happens.
Click to expand...
 
Hello,

I have a question about your response: if I have a (knowingly purchased)
non-genuine copy of Windows XP Home Edition and I want to purchase a genuine
copy, do I need to purchase the full install or just the upgrade? Based on
your response, I'm assuming I would need the full install.

Thanks!
Linda
 
mistermambo said:
Hello,

I have a question about your response: if I have a (knowingly purchased)
non-genuine copy of Windows XP Home Edition and I want to purchase a genuine
copy, do I need to purchase the full install or just the upgrade? Based on
your response, I'm assuming I would need the full install.
Click to expand...

If you happen to have/own a copy of an earlier, qualifying OS, such as
Win98 or WinMe, that's not in use on any other computer, then you could
use the WinXP Home Upgrade CD. Otherwise, you'll need the full version.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell
 
Thanks very much for your quick response! No, I don't have a copy of an
earlier qualifying OS so I will purchase the full install!

:) Linda
 
mistermambo said:
Thanks very much for your quick response! No, I don't have a copy of
an earlier qualifying OS so I will purchase the full install!
Click to expand...


It would almost certainly be considerably cheaper to buy the Upgrade version
and an inexpensive used copy of Windows 98 (they are widely available).
 
Oh I hadn't even thought of that! I think I will do that. And this would be
exactly the same (just cheaper) as getting the full install?

Thanks again!
 
mistermambo said:
Oh I hadn't even thought of that! I think I will do that. And this
would be exactly the same (just cheaper) as getting the full install?
Click to expand...


From a practical standpoint, as long as you keep the WIndows 98 CD so you
can always reinstall cleanly if necessary( the license requires that you
keep it anyway; it becomes attached to the XP llicense when you upgrade from
it), yes it's exactly the same.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...


You're welcome. Glad to help.
 
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