Windows XP install dilemma

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I was recently given an OEM copy of windows XP professional as a gift (It was still sealed in celophane). I would like to upgrade my system to XP-Pro from Windows ME, but the installation menu only gives me the "New Installation" option. As this is an OEM copy Microsoft does not offer free installation support. I'm hoping someone here has a clue how I can convince this thing to upgrade, rather than force me to wipe my C-drive and do a fresh install. I'm a grad student so the time and hastle of a fresh install, and the expense of Microsoft's pay-support are both issues for me. Any suggestions?
 
Apparently you acquired an "OEM Version" of Windows XP Professional.
OEM versions cannot upgrade an existing Windows installation. Only
"retail versions" can upgrade. Either purchase a retail version of XP Pro
or reformat your drive to install the OEM version "clean".

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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

|
| I was recently given an OEM copy of windows XP professional as a gift (It was still sealed in celophane). I
would like to upgrade my system to XP-Pro from Windows ME, but the installation menu only gives me the "New
Installation" option. As this is an OEM copy Microsoft does not offer free installation support. I'm hoping
someone here has a clue how I can convince this thing to upgrade, rather than force me to wipe my C-drive and
do a fresh install. I'm a grad student so the time and hastle of a fresh install, and the expense of
Microsoft's pay-support are both issues for me. Any suggestions?
 
Cedric said:
I was recently given an OEM copy of windows XP professional as a gift
(It was still sealed in celophane). I would like to upgrade my system
to XP-Pro from Windows ME, but the installation menu only gives me
the "New Installation" option. As this is an OEM copy Microsoft does
not offer free installation support. I'm hoping someone here has a
clue how I can convince this thing to upgrade, rather than force me
to wipe my C-drive and do a fresh install. I'm a grad student so the
time and hastle of a fresh install, and the expense of Microsoft's
pay-support are both issues for me. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Cedric,
Check your campus store for highly discounted academic versions of XP. Some
universities supply XP Pro for as little as $5. The OEM version will only do
clean installs.

--

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
 
Carey, I am in a similar position but I didn't "acquire I paid for XP home
oem with all parts for a new PC to do my own assembly & setup as a clean
install to a blank 80gig IDE HD
Problem is I want to do an Advanced setup to copy setup files to HD and use
my own name for windows directory [ie XP]
Booting from a w98 floppy with CD support gets me to the XP cd but it seems
to miss the whole gui section of setup that appears if I put the winxp cd in
my other already going w98se PC.
Sure it starts to install but nowhere do I ever see the drop down box to
select advanced as detailed in the readme on th winxp cd.
I also tried booting direct to the Win 98seCD and the WinXP cd, both with
same problem.
Does this imply to get to the advanced setup I must first do an install of
w98se and yhen overwrite it with Winxp install? Are all the w98 remnants
deleted in this case. Thanks in advance Garry Hayes

Carey Frisch said:
Apparently you acquired an "OEM Version" of Windows XP Professional.
OEM versions cannot upgrade an existing Windows installation. Only
"retail versions" can upgrade. Either purchase a retail version of XP Pro
or reformat your drive to install the OEM version "clean".

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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

|
| I was recently given an OEM copy of windows XP professional as a gift
Click to expand...
(It was still sealed in celophane). I
would like to upgrade my system to XP-Pro from Windows ME, but the
Click to expand...
installation menu only gives me the "New
Installation" option. As this is an OEM copy Microsoft does not offer free
Click to expand...
installation support. I'm hoping
someone here has a clue how I can convince this thing to upgrade, rather
Click to expand...
than force me to wipe my C-drive and
 
I would suggest performing a "clean install" using this procedure:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| Carey, I am in a similar position but I didn't "acquire I paid for XP home
| oem with all parts for a new PC to do my own assembly & setup as a clean
| install to a blank 80gig IDE HD
| Problem is I want to do an Advanced setup to copy setup files to HD and use
| my own name for windows directory [ie XP]
| Booting from a w98 floppy with CD support gets me to the XP cd but it seems
| to miss the whole gui section of setup that appears if I put the winxp cd in
| my other already going w98se PC.
| Sure it starts to install but nowhere do I ever see the drop down box to
| select advanced as detailed in the readme on th winxp cd.
| I also tried booting direct to the Win 98seCD and the WinXP cd, both with
| same problem.
| Does this imply to get to the advanced setup I must first do an install of
| w98se and yhen overwrite it with Winxp install? Are all the w98 remnants
| deleted in this case. Thanks in advance Garry Hayes
 
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