Win2K to XP

[Dave Cullen]

Can I overwrite an existing Win2K Pro installation with XP? Is there any
Win2K stuff that's gonna be left behind taking up space?

Thanks

 

[Ray Costanzo [MVP]]

When asked if you want to upgrade or do a clean install, choose to do a
clean install. Also, choose to format the drive you're installing on. All
that may be left behind is an entry in your boot.ini file for the W2K
installation, which will no longer exist. If that happens after the install
(you'll see 30 second countdown with an OS selection message when you boot),
post back here.

In case you are not aware, when you format the drive, anything on it will be
gone. So, make sure you have everything you need backed up.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Can I overwrite an existing Win2K Pro installation with XP? Is there any
Win2K stuff that's gonna be left behind taking up space?

Thanks

Some people will recommend that you perform a clean installation,
rather than upgrade over an earlier OS. For the most part, I feel
that these people, while well-meaning, are living in the past, and are
basing their recommendation on their experiences with older operating
systems. You'd probably save a lot of time by upgrading your PC to
WinXP, rather than performing a clean installation, if you've no
hardware or software incompatibilities. Microsoft has greatly improved
(over earlier versions of Windows) WinXP's ability to smoothly upgrade
an earlier OS.

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 made sure that 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) Additionally, run
Microsoft WinXP Upgrade Advisor to see if you have any incompatible
hardware components or applications.


--

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

 

[Ray Costanzo [MVP]]

Some people will recommend that you perform a clean installation,
rather than upgrade over an earlier OS. For the most part, I feel
that these people, while well-meaning, are living in the past, and are
basing their recommendation on their experiences with older operating
systems.

My hand is raised! Although the reason that I'd recommend that is more
about taking advantage of an opportune time to start over fresh. People
build up so much nonsense on their computers, whether it be spyware,
shareware/freeware that's junky, unused software, etc. etc., so a new OS
install is a good excuse to force yourself to clean it all up.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My hand is raised! Although the reason that I'd recommend that is more
about taking advantage of an opportune time to start over fresh. People
build up so much nonsense on their computers, whether it be spyware,
shareware/freeware that's junky, unused software, etc. etc., so a new OS
install is a good excuse to force yourself to clean it all up.

I'll concede that _some_ people do accumulate a lot of trash and would
benefit (temporarily, until they start accumulating the same trash on
the new OS) from a fresh start, but this wouldn't be the case on a
properly maintained system. Certainly if the original OS is unstable or
otherwise problematic, a clean installation would very probably be better.

But to _always_ recommend only a clean installation, without taking
into account the specifics of each individual case, strikes me as
somewhat irresponsible, and certainly inconsiderate of the user's time.
Remember, with a clean installation, more than the just OS must be
reinstalled. There will also be dozens of applications to reinstall and
reconfigure, not to mention the user's unique customizations to both OS
and applications, many of which can be preserved by an in-place upgrade.


--

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

 

[Ray Costanzo [MVP]]

I'll concede that _some_ people do accumulate a lot of trash

Unfortunately, from what I can see, the "_some_" is a pretty high
percentage. :[

Ray at work

 

I'm specifically hoping to avoid reformatting if possible. Backing up
and restoring Outlook Express always seems precarious and I always end
up losing saved mail. However given the current state of my machine (see
other thread of mine) it may be the best option.

Thanks.

 

[lforbes]

I'm specifically hoping to avoid reformatting if possible.
Backing up
and restoring Outlook Express always seems precarious and I
always end
up losing saved mail. However given the current state of my
machine (see
other thread of mine) it may be the best option.

Thanks.

Hi,

Windows XP is so close to Windows 2000 that I would do an Upgrade if
the machine is running well etc. However, Windows 2000 Pro WON’T
upgrade to Windows XP Home. You will need XP Pro.

Outlook express is actually quite easy to manage if you figure it out.
The "store" location is stored by default in C:\Docs and
Settings\Username\Application
Data\Identities\GUID\Microsoft\Outlook Express. Personally I move
it the first chance I get (inside Outlook Express-Options) into an
Outlook Express Directory where I know where it is. The Address book
is stored in above Appllication Data\Address Book.

I then can back files up as needed. I restore by basically creating a
new account and then copying the backed up files over top.

Good Luck

Cheers,

Lara

 

[Dennis Langton]

Yeah, like about 99%.