Win XP and Win NT Server

[Guest]

My boss gave me the old computer from a business he shut down. The tower,
although not technically a server, was set up to run as one and has Win NT on
it. I'd like to purchase an XP upgrade disk. Can anyone see any problems
with installing the upgrade to a computer that once acted as a server? I
have tons of stuff on the computer and am now using it for my small home
business and would hate to lose it all or lose the use of the computer. I'm
having a great deal of problems since the computer is constantly looking for
the server connection. I can't install programs because they aren't network
programs (multi-user) even though there is no longer a network involved. The
Windows installer keeps looking for a file on the non-existent network. It's
driving me crazy and I'd prefer not to have to deal with the computer the way
it is now. I'm using my other computer just to avoid it all.

Any advice on either how to fix it (get the computer to act like a regular
computer) or on installing a Win XP upgrade, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Enkidu]

My boss gave me the old computer from a business he shut down. The tower,
although not technically a server, was set up to run as one and has Win NT on
it. I'd like to purchase an XP upgrade disk. Can anyone see any problems
with installing the upgrade to a computer that once acted as a server? I
have tons of stuff on the computer and am now using it for my small home
business and would hate to lose it all or lose the use of the computer. I'm
having a great deal of problems since the computer is constantly looking for
the server connection. I can't install programs because they aren't network
programs (multi-user) even though there is no longer a network involved. The
Windows installer keeps looking for a file on the non-existent network. It's
driving me crazy and I'd prefer not to have to deal with the computer the way
it is now. I'm using my other computer just to avoid it all.

Any advice on either how to fix it (get the computer to act like a regular
computer) or on installing a Win XP upgrade, would be greatly appreciated.

I'm 99% sure you can't upgrade from a server product to XP
(which is a workstation product). And vice versa too.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Enkidu]

My boss gave me the old computer from a business he shut
down. The tower, although not technically a server, was
set up to run as one and has Win NT on it. I'd like to
purchase an XP upgrade disk. Can anyone see any problems
with installing the upgrade to a computer that once acted
as a server? I have tons of stuff on the computer and am
now using it for my small home business and would hate to
lose it all or lose the use of the computer. I'm having
a great deal of problems since the computer is constantly
looking for the server connection. I can't install
programs because they aren't network programs (multi-user)
even though there is no longer a network involved. The
Windows installer keeps looking for a file on the
non-existent network. It's driving me crazy and I'd
prefer not to have to deal with the computer the way
it is now. I'm using my other computer just to avoid it all.

Any advice on either how to fix it (get the computer to act
like a regular computer) or on installing a Win XP upgrade,
would be greatly appreciated.

Um, if you could be more specific about the actual error
messages, someone might be able to diagnose the problem and
suggest a solution.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Guest]

Cliff

The error messages are numerous!! Since it's no longer a server and it was
set up that way, I think it's confused. Windows installer is looking for a
file that is on the network in Administrator/My Pictures. So, any programs
I have that use Windows Installer, will not install. Any programs I have
that are not for multiple users on a network, will not install. There is no
longer a network. When it signs on it looks for the network. Takes forever
to sign on. Another error is when it first comes up, it cannot connect to
the database.

I think what I will eventually have to do is reformat the hard drive and
start all over. This, of course, will mean buying a full version of an
operating system. My boss has since passed away and his family took off with
the original operating system disk so I can't even reinstall it.

Thanks for your help. I knew deep down I wouldn't be able to install XP
over NT. My other computer has XP on it. Love it!

Cheryl

 

[Enkidu]

Hi Cheryl, when you talk about "programs that are not for
multiple users on a network" what do you mean? Programs are
not normally that much "network-aware". It should make no
difference to the install. What is the first message?

When you login to the server, does it say "NT Server"? When
you login do you see thre boxes or two? In other words does
it just say "User" and "Password" or does it say "User"
"Password" and "Domain"?

Cheers,

Cliff