Upgrading fr ME to XP

[Guest]

I have been using ME for years and want to upgrade to XP. Can I use the
Upgrade version of XP or do I need the full version of XP?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have been using ME for years and want to upgrade to XP. Can I use
the Upgrade version of XP or do I need the full version of XP?

You can use either. Since the Upgrade is considerably cheaper and contains
exactly the same software, that's what you should buy.

Just be sure not to get an OEM version, which some people confuse with the
Full version. OEM versions can *not* do upgrades.

 

[Guest]

You can use the upgrade version of XP, however, I personally recommend
purchasing the full version. Even though the upgrade version is cheaper, I
have found that thing run more smoothly when reformatting the hard drive and
performing a clean (and, therefore full) install.

Christopher Isherwood

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the feedback. That's what Iwas looking for.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

You can use the upgrade version of XP, however, I personally recommend
purchasing the full version. Even though the upgrade version is
cheaper, I have found that thing run more smoothly when reformatting
the hard drive and performing a clean (and, therefore full) install.

You're mixing up two different things: which version you have and whether
you do a clean installation or an upgrade.

Upgrade versions do clean installations just fine. The requirement to use an
upgrade version is to *own* a previous qualifying version's installation CD
(with an OEM restore CD, see below), not to have it installed. When setup
doesn't find a previous qualifying version installed, it will prompt you to
insert its CD as proof of ownership. Just insert the previous version's CD,
and follow the prompts. Everything proceeds quite normally and quite
legitimately.

You can also do a clean installation if you have an OEM restore CD of a
previous qualifying version. It's more complicated, but it *can* be done.
First restore from the Restore CD. Then run the XP upgrade CD from within
that restored system, and change from Upgrade to New Install. When it asks
where, press Esc to delete the partition and start over.

If he qualifiues for the Upgrade version, that's what he should buy. Buying
a Full version when you qualify for the Upgrade is simply a waste of money.


Over and above that, 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.

 

[Jonny]

Do not use an upgrade version of XP. You will always need a qualifying
product. In your case, the ME install CD. MS product install CDs are set
to self-destruct after around 5 years, whether used or not.
A clean install of XP with SP2 is highly recommended. Save your data to
removable media first. You may need hardware drivers in some cases for XP.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Do not use an upgrade version of XP. You will always need a qualifying
product. In your case, the ME install CD.

So? How is that a problem? Particularly since the use of an Upgrade
license will save the OP a considerable amount of cash?

MS product install CDs are set
to self-destruct after around 5 years, whether used or not.

That's a complete and utter lie.

A clean install of XP with SP2 is highly recommended.

By whom? Certainly not by those of us who know how to properly
maintain and use computers.

Save your data to
removable media first.

The first smart thing you've said.

You may need hardware drivers in some cases for XP.

There's no "may" about it. The OP will definitely need WinXP-specific
drivers for all of the computer's devices.



--

Bruce Chambers

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

Do not use an upgrade version of XP. You will always need a
qualifying product.

*Only* if you ever need to do a clean installation.

In your case, the ME install CD. MS product
install CDs are set to self-destruct after around 5 years, whether
used or not.

LOL!. Complete nonsense.

 

[Jonny]

Retail versions of 98, ME, Age of Empires II (Conquerors) and Office 2k
here. All treated with total no touch the read side respect. All have
developed what appear to be scratches and smears. Cleaning has no effect on
these. All CDs kept in cases. The copy of the 98 CD I made 4 years ago
continues to look like new on the read side of that CD. Unable to copy Age
of Empires CD due to read errors per Nero. I have both a scsi cd reader and
a DVD burner, Nero has same results using either as source. Can play the
game though as its been installed on ME for a couple of years, it needs to
read the opening videos to play period off the CD. There is no one else
using or touching these CDs. I become irritated when my older, grown
children don't keep CDs in their cases at their mutual homes. Thus, my
opinion of self-destruct of around 5 years or more.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Retail versions of 98, ME, Age of Empires II (Conquerors) and Office
2k here. All treated with total no touch the read side respect. All
have developed what appear to be scratches and smears. Cleaning has
no effect on these. All CDs kept in cases. The copy of the 98 CD I
made 4 years ago continues to look like new on the read side of that
CD. Unable to copy Age of Empires CD due to read errors per Nero. I
have both a scsi cd reader and a DVD burner, Nero has same results
using either as source. Can play the game though as its been
installed on ME for a couple of years, it needs to read the opening
videos to play period off the CD. There is no one else using or
touching these CDs. I become irritated when my older, grown children
don't keep CDs in their cases at their mutual homes. Thus, my
opinion of self-destruct of around 5 years or more.

That may be your experience, but it certainly isn't mine, or that of anyone
else I know. Statistics based on only four examples, especially when they
contradict the experience of so many other people, are worthless.

Moreover even if that is your experience, it's a giant leap from that to "MS
product install CDs are set to self-destruct after around 5 years, whether
used or not."

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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