XP Upgrade

[Ed]

Hello! Can anyone tell me the difference between the
upgrade and full retail versions of XP? I am thinking of
moving over from ME because I seem to have lost
several .dll's after removing some hardware and software.
I'm not sure which version to purchase.

Thanks!
Ed

 

[Candace]

Differences:

Functionality - probably none

Cost - I'm sure you know

Installation - Better off with upgrade (your data and apps are protected)

Need to reinstall - Make sure you have BOTH disks

*just one person's take on this...

 

[Ed]

Candace,

The ME is the OEM version. Does that matter?

Thank You!
Ed

 

[Brooke]

Candace,

The ME is the OEM version. Does that matter?

Thank You!
Ed

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Hello! Can anyone tell me the difference between the
upgrade and full retail versions of XP? I am thinking of
moving over from ME because I seem to have lost
several .dll's after removing some hardware and software.
I'm not sure which version to purchase.

If you qualify for the upgrade (own a previous qualifying
version), you should buy the upgrade, since it's cheaper.

There's only one difference between the two: although you can do
a clean installation with either version, the upgrade requires
that you insert a copy of a previous qualifying version's CD as
proof of ownership. Both versions can do upgrades.

 

[Brooke]

There are a LOT of restrictions on OEM versions, as I'm sure you are aware.
However, I have not seen that particular issue addressed here recently. I
would be inclined to say that it IS upgradable, but let's wait for the gurus
to weigh in on that one.

PS: as an OEM user, are you under the impression that if your hard drive
dies, the ME must expire with it? I kind of got that impression (regarding
OEM XP)on this forum. I guess I could read the EULA...

 

[Brooke]

Ken,
Is it true, as mentioned above by Candace, that the XP upgrade over ME will
leave the other files on the harddisk intact?

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Ken,
Is it true, as mentioned above by Candace, that the XP upgrade over
ME will leave the other files on the harddisk intact?

Yes, by definition, an "upgrade" (as opposed to a clean
installation) means that all data, programs, etc. are kept
intact.

However there are no guarantees. However unlikely, it's always
possible that something might go wrong. For that reason it's
prudent to be sure you have a backup of anything you can't afford
to lose before beginning.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

Candace,

The ME is the OEM version. Does that matter?

Not as long as you have a real ME CD you can show the upgrade version if
you ever need to re-install (although Win9x would do just as well).

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hello! Can anyone tell me the difference between the
upgrade and full retail versions of XP? I am thinking of
moving over from ME because I seem to have lost
several .dll's after removing some hardware and software.
I'm not sure which version to purchase.

The *only* difference is that the upgrade requires evidence to its setup
that you own a system that is entitled to the upgrade discount. So you
can install either as an upgrade over your existing ME. But if you want
to do a clean install, either you have to show Setup a 'proper' ME CD
(not most OEM 'restore ones') as evidence, or restore the ME and do it
from there (when you can choose New INstall, and format the disk - the
check will have been made by then)

So one way or the other, save money and get the Upgrade