Upgrading from XP Home TO XP PRO

[Guest]

Im currently running xp home on my desktop and xp pro on my laptop, what i
want to do is upgrade my desktop to XP pro so that i can use the extra
secruity on the files im sharing on my network. The question is can i just
upgrade or does it need to be a clean install. ?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

1. Purchase a conventional "Retail Upgrade Version" of Windows XP Professional.
2. Uninstall your antivirus program.
3. Perform a backup of your important documents and files to a CD.
4. Disconnect all hardware peripheral devices, except the monitor, keyboard and mouse.
5. While running Windows XP Home, insert the Windows XP Pro CD in the drive and select
the default "Upgrade" setup option. [Do not select "New Installation"]
6. Visit the Windows Update site to download all the critical updates.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Im currently running xp home on my desktop and xp pro on my laptop, what i
| want to do is upgrade my desktop to XP pro so that i can use the extra
| secruity on the files im sharing on my network. The question is can i just
| upgrade or does it need to be a clean install. ?

 

[XPUSER]

Im currently running xp home on my desktop and xp pro on my laptop, what i
want to do is upgrade my desktop to XP pro so that i can use the extra
secruity on the files im sharing on my network. The question is can i just
upgrade or does it need to be a clean install. ?

=================================
Clean install is ALWAYS better.
If you upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro,
there is no uninstall back to XP Home available.

You should buy a new XP Pro CD to do this.
You can get by with an XP Pro Upgrade CD
and boot from it and do a clean install because
XP Home is already installed. However, if that
first clean install fails, then you would need to
show a qualifying product (OEM Recovery CD's
do not work) to do any subsequent clean installs.
So you might want to consider purchasing a Full
Version XP Pro CD. Make sure that either the
Upgrade or Full Version XP Pro CD that you
purchase includes Service Pack 2.
==================================

 

[Guest]

THanks for your swift reply i will do this later.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

=================================
Clean install is ALWAYS better.

Nonsense.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Im currently running xp home on my desktop and xp pro on my laptop, what i
want to do is upgrade my desktop to XP pro so that i can use the extra
secruity on the files im sharing on my network. The question is can i just
upgrade or does it need to be a clean install. ?

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.

The upgrade from WinXP Home to WinXP Pro, in particular, almost
always goes smoothly, as both operating systems use the same kernel.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Haggis]

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.

The upgrade from WinXP Home to WinXP Pro, in particular, almost
always goes smoothly, as both operating systems use the same kernel.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

I've done the upgrade from win98 ,XPhome a number times ...no problem. IF
you have a clean system (no virus /adware)!!

 

[XPUSER]

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.

The upgrade from WinXP Home to WinXP Pro, in particular, almost
always goes smoothly, as both operating systems use the same kernel.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

============================================
I don't blame you for throwing in the "almost always" qualifier
in your response. I still think that if data has been backed up
and programs / drivers can be reinstalled - then a clean install of
an O.S. is ALWAYS better than an Upgrade from another O.S.

If something goes wrong during the install, you can be pretty darn
sure you either have a hardware problem or damaged media (CD)
that you are using for the install. The issue of incompatible software
/ viruses / spyware is ruled out.

And when the clean install is successful, you know you are starting
out with a pristine Registry.

But I guess I'm just being nonsensical
=============================================

 

[Michael Stevens]

============================================
I don't blame you for throwing in the "almost always" qualifier
in your response. I still think that if data has been backed up
and programs / drivers can be reinstalled - then a clean install of
an O.S. is ALWAYS better than an Upgrade from another O.S.

If something goes wrong during the install, you can be pretty darn
sure you either have a hardware problem or damaged media (CD)
that you are using for the install. The issue of incompatible software
/ viruses / spyware is ruled out.

And when the clean install is successful, you know you are starting
out with a pristine Registry.

But I guess I'm just being nonsensical
=============================================

Overly pessimistic would be more accurate, the advice I give is prep for the
clean install and do the upgrade. Then you save hours and hours of time
reinstalling and configuring when all goes well and have everything in place
to clean install if it doesn't.
The "always is better" is not "always" true, as there are instances when a
clean install will leave some older software and hardware unusable and will
continue to work with an upgrade.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
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[XPUSER]

Overly pessimistic would be more accurate, the advice I give is prep for the
clean install and do the upgrade. Then you save hours and hours of time
reinstalling and configuring when all goes well and have everything in place
to clean install if it doesn't.
The "always is better" is not "always" true, as there are instances when a
clean install will leave some older software and hardware unusable and will
continue to work with an upgrade.
--
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

==============================================================
OK, Point taken and accepted - if such preparation is taken prior to performing
the upgrade. My "overly pessimistic" attitude is based on constantly having to
deal with people who don't do such preparation and even when the Upgrade Advisor
(if they let it run) tells them that a program is incompatible, they just press on
and continue with the upgrade or they do so with viruses and spywares galore
and end up with a totally botched system and come to me and my colleagues
screaming about how Microsoft has screwed them. After a while, when you
are in my shoes, you start wishing that Upgrades were not even an option.

I will also point out that in my opinion, Microsoft does not include nearly enough
instruction on how to prepare for an upgrade with their software. For one thing,
I think every XP Retail Box should have a Big Red Sticker stating
"Check with your manufacturer first!"
(not a tiny little barely readable vague little note on the side of the box)
Dell for instance has a site that expresses
their recommendations concerning upgrades to XP on their various systems:

http://support.dell.com/support/top...t/upgrades/en/upgradeos?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

But apparently Microsoft Marketing thinks it wiser to just sell sell sell, and let
poor underpaid schmucks like me deal with the consequences.

So yes I will admit that my blanket statement that "clean installs are ALWAYS better"
was a mistake. I am sorry for that, but I hope I have adequately explained how I came to make that mistake.
===================================================================

 

[Michael Stevens]

==============================================================
OK, Point taken and accepted - if such preparation is taken prior to
performing
the upgrade. My "overly pessimistic" attitude is based on constantly
having to
deal with people who don't do such preparation and even when the
Upgrade Advisor
(if they let it run) tells them that a program is incompatible, they
just press on
and continue with the upgrade or they do so with viruses and spywares
galore
and end up with a totally botched system and come to me and my
colleagues
screaming about how Microsoft has screwed them. After a while, when
you
are in my shoes, you start wishing that Upgrades were not even an
option.

I can certainly understand your wishes.

I will also point out that in my opinion, Microsoft does not include
nearly enough
instruction on how to prepare for an upgrade with their software. For
one thing,
I think every XP Retail Box should have a Big Red Sticker stating
"Check with your manufacturer first!"

Good idea and I agree.

(not a tiny little barely readable vague little note on the side of
the box)
Dell for instance has a site that expresses
their recommendations concerning upgrades to XP on their various
systems:

http://support.dell.com/support/top...t/upgrades/en/upgradeos?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

But apparently Microsoft Marketing thinks it wiser to just sell sell
sell, and let
poor underpaid schmucks like me deal with the consequences.

So yes I will admit that my blanket statement that "clean installs
are ALWAYS better"
was a mistake. I am sorry for that, but I hope I have adequately
explained how I came to make that mistake.

You have, and I am glad I was able to get as much as I gave. Thanks.

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