XP Readiness Test

  • Thread starter Thread starter billy goat
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billy goat

I am considering an upgrade from Win ME to Win XP Pro. I
have read negative comments from some who have attempted
the upgrade from ME only to become frustrated by
compatibility issues, uninstalling XP and returning back
to ME.

My system requirements meet those as stated on MS product
site. But in order to avoid, or to be prepared for,
compatibility issues, I was wondering if the PC XP
Readiness test (link below)is legitimate and reliable.


http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,112922,pg,2,00
..asp

Thanks for any comments.
 
Probably it is, I have not used that one, but I have used
the one at www.pcpitstop.com and it seems very good and is
free.

If you have the XP CD, you can browse to the readiness test
which is on the CD.



message | I am considering an upgrade from Win ME to Win XP Pro. I
| have read negative comments from some who have attempted
| the upgrade from ME only to become frustrated by
| compatibility issues, uninstalling XP and returning back
| to ME.
|
| My system requirements meet those as stated on MS product
| site. But in order to avoid, or to be prepared for,
| compatibility issues, I was wondering if the PC XP
| Readiness test (link below)is legitimate and reliable.
|
|
|
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,112922,pg,2,00
| .asp
|
| Thanks for any comments.
 
Read and follow this upgrade procedure:

You can perform an "Upgrade" to Windows XP from Windows ME
by selecting the default "Upgrade" option during the initial setup phase.
The other setup option, "New Installation", should only be selected if
your wish to reformat your drive (thus removing Windows ME and all
files), or install Windows XP on an available empty drive or partition
and create a dual-boot scenario.

Do not make the mistake of selecting "New Installation" and proceed
to install Windows XP in the same partition as Windows ME. The
end result will be instability and conflicts.

If you wish to upgrade to Windows XP, read the following:

HOW TO: Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or
Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;316639

Before upgrading any existing Windows installation, it would be prudent to
run the Upgrade Advisor for Windows XP. This tool will report what hardware
or software may be incompatible with Windows XP. If you follow the Upgrade
Advisor's recommendations, you should not have any problem upgrading to
Windows XP.

If you fail to utilize the Upgrade Advisor, you may run into incompatibility issues.
Just inserting the Windows XP Upgrade CD in the CD Drive and selecting
"upgrade" is not going to give you the desired result. You must "prepare and
plan" your computer before beginning the upgrade process.

Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307726

It is imperative that you have the latest BIOS update installed. Visit the support
website of the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard for instructions
on updating your computer's BIOS.

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

Also, physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware devices,
especially USB devices (not including your mouse, keyboard or
monitor). Uninstall any antivirus program, too!

HOW TO: Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941

Most of all, *** BACKUP *** your critical files and documents!

Note: Laptop computers require specialized hardware drivers.
After upgrading to Windows XP, visit the support website of
the manufacturer of your laptop and download all the Windows
XP drivers designed to work with your specific laptop model.

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

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

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


| I am considering an upgrade from Win ME to Win XP Pro. I
| have read negative comments from some who have attempted
| the upgrade from ME only to become frustrated by
| compatibility issues, uninstalling XP and returning back
| to ME.
|
| My system requirements meet those as stated on MS product
| site. But in order to avoid, or to be prepared for,
| compatibility issues, I was wondering if the PC XP
| Readiness test (link below)is legitimate and reliable.
|
|
| http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,112922,pg,2,00
| .asp
|
| Thanks for any comments.
 
Thank you for your quick reply. I believe the link you
show is connected to PC World link.

bg
 
In
billy goat said:
I am considering an upgrade from Win ME to Win XP Pro. I
have read negative comments from some who have attempted
the upgrade from ME only to become frustrated by
compatibility issues, uninstalling XP and returning back
to ME.
Click to expand...


It doesn't matter what product you are talking about, there are
always those who like it and others who hate it. But the vast
majority of people who have gone from Me to XP have been very
pleased with the results.

In my experience, most people who are unhappy making such a
change have themselves to blame for it. They don't make sure they
have adequate hardware, they don't take the trouble to learn how
to use it, etc.

My system requirements meet those as stated on MS product
site. But in order to avoid, or to be prepared for,
compatibility issues, I was wondering if the PC XP
Readiness test (link below)is legitimate and reliable.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,112922,pg,2,00
.asp
Click to expand...



I don't know that site, but I recommend this one:

Run the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
 
billy said:
My system requirements meet those as stated on MS product
site. But in order to avoid, or to be prepared for,
compatibility issues, I was wondering if the PC XP
Readiness test (link below)is legitimate and reliable.


http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,112922,pg,2,00
.asp
Click to expand...

It leads to pcpitstop which is a reputable place,. My only real gripe
would be that the 'recommended' 128MB of RAM is really *not* enough. I
did successfully run with 192 during the Betas, but to be realistic I
think you should have 256. And a bit more elbow room for installation
than the suggested 2GB; especially if you might want to preserve the old
system files against an uninstall.

On the software side, the important matter is to uninstall all
Antivirus; system utilities like Norton and CD Burning software,
installing XP compatible versions after the upgrade. With those
provisos there is no reason why an upgrade would not go perfectly well
(almost everything in the system gets replaced, and the old 'will bring
troubles forward' is not generally true) and is what I would do in the
first instance. Read Gary Woodruff's article on upgrading to XP at
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm
 
Thank you for your reply. I have 384 and and plenty of
hard drive space. I will be sure to read the article you
suggest.

Regards
 
Thank you for your reply. I am sure you are correct in
your estimation that those unhappy have not properly
prepared for the change.

I have run the MS Upgrade Advisor and I am reviewing the
several identified compatiblity issues, all easily
remedied.

Thanks again,

Regards
 
In
billy goat said:
Thank you for your reply. I am sure you are correct in
your estimation that those unhappy have not properly
prepared for the change.

I have run the MS Upgrade Advisor and I am reviewing the
several identified compatiblity issues, all easily
remedied.
Click to expand...


You're welcome. Glad to help.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


 
PC World is nothing more than a magazine. They have made many mistakes. Their
articles are only as good as the person writing them. They are NOT infallible.
 
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