Questions about upgrading from XP Home to Pro…

[Matt_Smi]

My school is forcing all students to get XP Pro; I currently have XP Home so I need to get Pro. I can get it from the campus bookstore for $100 or from newegg for $84. But I have a few questions about upgrading from Home to Pro. Here they are…


1. Does the “upgrade version" in this link http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...116-112&depa=0 just update your current install to Pro, or do you need to do a complete fresh reinstall still that will wipe your hard drive?

2. I have a Dell that came with a Home reinstallation CD, will this cause any issues with the upgrade?

3. Will the drivers that came with my Dell for my Ethernet card, graphics, Ect. Work fine with Pro?


Basically I am wondering if I need to do another complete reinstall and reformat my hard drive to upgrade to Pro, or if the “upgrade version” just updates your current install to Pro without having to go though a full reinstall, I am guessing it is the latter but am not sure. Also let me know of any problems I could/may run into when upgrading, I hope it goes smooth and painless (and I think it should) but I want to be prepared, thanks.

[Force Flow]

Yes, you can do an upgrade and it should be painless.

I don't see the reason for this "forced" upgrade, however.

[Matt_Smi]

I don’t really see the reason either, and am a bit upset about it, but I think it is so they can better secure the network. So with this upgrade version, will it just integrate with my current Home install, or will I need to do a complete reinstallation?

[Force Flow]

It's a rather painless upgrade. You will not need to do a reinstallation.

[Matt_Smi]

Thanks, another question I had is if I wanted to do a clean reinstall, I understand the Pro upgrade asks you to insert your pervious OS disc at some point, will the XP Home reinstallation CD that came with my Dell work fine? Dells don’t just come with a recovery CD, it is actually the full Home CD, but I have heard that it only will only work if it sees a Dell Bios, so it should work fine but I am not 100% sure. Because I defiantly want the option to do a clean install, in case the upgrade messes some things up or if I need to down the road for other reasons.

[Force Flow]

Yes, if that's what you have, then stick it in.

And no, the recovery CD will not work with anything other than your Dell because of the BIOS, as you mentioned.

If your system is operating normally, I don't see why you should have a problem with the upgrade.

[autotran]

Originally Posted by Force Flow It's a rather painless upgrade. You will not need to do a reinstallation.

I have WinXP Home on my computer and I have a full version of WinXP Pro which I am trying to install. When I get to installing into the original Windows directory (so I can keep all my original applications and settings) it says: "A \Windows folder exists that may contain a Windows installation. If you continue, the existing Windows installation will be overwritten." Then to put the frosting on the cake it says:
"All files, subfolders, user accounts, applications, security and desktop settings fot the Windows installation will be deleted. The "My Documents" folder may also be deleted."
This sure doesn't sound like it will be painless, it really sounds like I would have to reinstall everything. Is this because I have a full version instead of an upgrade and if so is there anyway to get around it? Dave

[Force Flow]

Don't boot with the CD. Start up your computer normally, then stick in the CD.

[autotran]

Originally Posted by Force Flow Don't boot with the CD. Start up your computer normally, then stick in the CD.

Houston, I have a problem! When I do what you suggest (which I heard today from another source), this is the screen info I get:

"Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.

Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered."

I only get a choice of cancel or details, this is what details says:

"Issue Description:

To install the version on the CD, restart your computer, boot from this CD, and follow the instructions for a new installation.

Warning: The default setup options will replace your existing version of Windows with this version. If you wish to keep both versions you must select a new destination folder for this version of Windows. If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered."

According to this info, I can only boot from this CD to install WinXP Pro. Do you have any other suggestions for getting around this? Dave

[Force Flow]

What service pack do you have, and is the XP Pro CD slipstreamed with SP1 or not?

And take a look here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...tallquick.mspx

[autotran]

I have SP2 and my WinXP Pro is not slipstreamed with SP1. I looked here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...stallquick.mspx as suggested and it looks like I meet all of the requirements. If I get it to install by upgrading I will let you know. Thanks for all of the advice. Dave