Installing Windows XP (over Win Me) Follow-up Q&A 1

[che8a]

I didn't clarify my original question - I ONLY have the full blown Windows XP (it is not the Upgrade). Will it work to install this over my existing WinMe or will it force me to format and thus lose everything ? Or are there other options I'm not aware of. I have bought XP with, and it was installed on, my laptop but, I would prefer PC and laptop to be of the same OS. If I should purchase XP Upgrade from WinMe please advise ... I'm trying to avoid the additional expense - but avoiding problems is of bigger concern.

 

[bcastner]

The Full retail XP and the Upgrade retail XP differ in only a few bytes of code.

I have always used the Full retail XP to do upgrades in the sense you mean: a non-destructive upgrade of an older Windows OS version.

 

[bcastner]

Explore, before beginning:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/default.asp

Enable the Windows firewall
You can replace it later with something else. But before you get the blaster security fixes you need to do this before using the internet.
You need to do Service Pack 1. So head to the Windows Update site and do that alone of the suggested updates.

Then to save time, download and apply the two rollup packages:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=826939

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=820128

Reboot and head again to the Windows Update site and finish the job.

 

[linney]

If you go down the Upgrade path these may be handy.

HOW TO: Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP(Q316639)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q316/6/39.asp

310064 - HOW TO: Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation When You Upgrade

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310064&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

OLEXP: Mail Folders, Address Book, and E-mail Messages Are Missing After You Upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP(Q313055)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/0/55.asp

If you go down the Clean Install path (recommended) these might help.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPPro/installxppro1.htm

HOW TO: Use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP(Q293118)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q293/1/18.asp

In either case reading both sets of articles will prepare you and your machine which ever installation path you choose.

And Tek-Tips is here if you need further help.

 

[bcastner]

Somewhere hidden in the links from linney and I is a bit of practical advice.

If possible, backup your ME data files and do a clean installation of XP.

I have had good luck going Win9x to XP, Win2k to XP, and XP Home to Pro. I know this is not a unversal experience, but it has been my own experience.

But I have never been happy with ME to XP. It does help if going ME to XP Pro versus Home.

But, again my experience, I essentially do the linney checklist for backup of settings, data, etc.. and do a clean install of XP.

A clean install from ME to XP rather than an upgrade gives me a shot at a 100% success rate. The only odd issues are always peripherals or the system BIOS. An upgrade from ME to XP Pro works without problems significantly less most of the time.

Try it.

If there are issues they will not bar you from doing a reasonable backup job of data files, and using the Files and Settings Transfer wizard, the moving of files.

But just my two cents into the pot. I really do not like ME to XP upgrades without a clean install.