XP upgrade questions

[Tainamom]

Hi board,

I plan to upgrade my xp soon, but before I buy the stuff I need to ask questions - just in case my comp stops working and I can't get online to ask.

I have a MicronPC millenia comp - std atx amd. I have 2 hdd drives and have already saved most of my important files on cd including some new drivers I was able to download.

I think my comp is set for an a: boot. I keep reading I have to change this in bios so that it will accept the xp disk in my cd drive. I'm guessing xp is a bootable disk, right? I think I'll make a rescue cd disc instead of a floppy.

My 2nd drive is brand new and set as a slave. It has only one program while my original hd has all of the other programs. Do I need to reformat and install that drive too or should I just uninstall that program to get rid of my Win ME stuff then reinstall?

What's the process for fomatting my master hd? Am I able to reformat even though it has all of this information? I don't plan to partition it as it only has 40gigs. I'm hoping to just boot up and do a clean install, then I plan to reinstall every program on the "as needed" basis. I'm sure I have a lot of programs I really don't use or need.

Last, but not least, is it just my imagination, but once I re-install everything, I have to go through the process of running updates through the net for every program? This really stinks as most of these programs do not allow for a download/save.

I'm doing this because I plan to transfer a lot of my old computer onto a new case and to piecemeal the parts on an as needed basis.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[doctorgonzo]

Yes, the XP install CD is bootable. When you start the installation process, you will have the opportunity to partition and formate the primary hard disk: it sounds like you want to do this, and it is a good idea. Just format the C: drive and ignore the other drive for now. After you finish installing XP, you can format the second drive if you want by using the Disk Management tool. It doesn't sound like you really need to format the second drive, but you will have to reinstall the program that is on it.

Yes, after you reinstall everything, you will have to update the programs if you don't have the latest versions.

[trulad]

and after you get XP installed, set your BIOS to boot from your C drive first,CD second and floppy third.
trulad

[bozo]

Originally Posted by doctorgonzo Yes, the XP install CD is bootable.

Just to add what the doc said...you must set the bios boot order to boot from CD FIRST. Then the XP install CD will begin.

After XP install I go back to the bios and set the boot order this way:
1. Floppy
2. C:\ (hard drive)
3. CD Rom Drive

[Tainamom]

Let me see if I got this right

1)put cd in drive
2)reboot and go into bios
3)switch 1st boot drive from a: to my cd drive: main hdd stays the same
4)save and boot up
5)format c: and install xp
6)reboot and go back into bios to make a: 1st boot and cdd third; main hdd stays the same
7)reinstall all programs I use
8)upgrade all programs through net (you don't know how I hate this part)

Kind of wish I had a spare pc. Maybe I'll make one now that I found this board.

Thanks again. I really appreciate this.

[rjfvillarosa]

Have you bought your copy of XP yet?
When you change the boot order and restart your computer, if it starts up with your old OS don't panic, some machines will check all the drives for an OS before going back to the bootable CD, if this happens just change every boot device to CD and once your OS is installed just go back and change the boot sequence as you want it, usually A: C: D: or Floppy HDD0 CD

[piasabird]

I am assuming you are going to install a purchased product with a valid Microsoft user license.

That said, I strongly recommend doing some research on your motherboard to make sure it supports XP. Microsoft maintains a list called an HCL (Hardware compatibility List) for XP and they may have a separate list for XP Support Pack 2.

Then you need to have Chipset Drivers for your motherboard that are compatible with Windows XP. These are normally installed after the operating system and before any extra hardware devices.

Most hardware devices are fully compatible. Hard drives are not an issue and will generally alsways work with any operating system made by MS. However you need to located drivers for all your other devices like Optical drives (CD DVD), Sound Cards, Network Adapters, Modems, Scanners, Printers, monitors, etc.

Scanners that work with Win98 may not work with XP.

Some software may not work either.

I recommend making sure you get WinXP SP 2 version of XP. Mostly because there are fewer updates to download and install.

[Tainamom]

But of course I'm getting a legit copy. I've been searching high and low for a good deal for a few weeks and finally settled on ZipZoomFly. I was leary of some of the other vendors and even EBay. I don't want a copy that I can't work with.

I did run my computer through a configuration check and the only hardware that I will have a real problem with is my modem. I tried to look for drivers that will work with XP, but it's just one of those devices that won't work. Since the OEM product requires a hardware item purchase also, I decided to get another modem instead. Normally I use DSL, but every once in a while my system goes looney and I have to use my modem to surf.

My scanner, mouse, video card and about two programs will have problems too. I was able to download the drivers for the video card, but now I have to go back and run a check to see what else I need. Some parts I already have the driver, but they must be reinstalled.

I'm glad that I found this board by chance because I would have never known that uninstalling incompatible devices b4 installing xp can cause problems.

I recently downloaded a newer driver version for my chipset, but I'll check again.

Thanks.

[rjfvillarosa]

Just curious, but have you ever installed an Operating System before?

[Tainamom]

Does dos count? LOL That's how long it's been since I ever installed an OS. I've never installed any windows programs. They've always been on the computer. I think I did an upgrade from Win 3.1 to Win 95 about 10 years ago. I've been pretty happy w/ my Win ME, but my system has been very unstable. Oh, now that I think of it, I had to reinstall Win ME and all the programs before many years ago on this system. Then I had to do it again, but I found a way to just install Windows instead of a clean install. Well let me leave at, "It's been a long, long, long time since I've done this." LOL

[piasabird]

I noticed microsoft has a slightly newer version of MS Direct X (Ver 9.0c).

[rjfvillarosa]

Do your self a favour, when you are going to do the install make sure that all of your peripheral equipment is unplugged especially USB's.
Just have the bare minimum plugged into the machine like monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers, (even the speakers are optional but they won't hurt).
Once you have finished the install and everything is running fine, just plug your bits and pieces back in one at a time.
I can all most guarantee you will have an issue with something, so it's easier just to unplug them all.

[Tainamom]

I noticed somewhere online that there's a newer Direct x ver. I hope my card works with it.

I read somewhere on the board that I should uninstall all incompatible devices before installing xp.

I also don't plan to go the upgrade route. I want to do a clean install. A lot of people of the board said it's best to do a clean install, so obviously, I'm trying to get as much information on what to do before I do this.

I'm still searching microsoft for that program that checks my computer for incompatibility. I was able to find it right away, but I'm guessing it was already linked on one of the messages on this forum.

I guess to get back to your point, I'll definitely unplug everything but the monitor, mouse and keyboard.

Thanks.

[rjfvillarosa]

If you do have any concerns about compatibility there is a hardware and application compatibility wizard on the XP disk and you can run this before you format the hard drive, just put the disk in your machine and it will load up automatically to the GUI, you will find the compatibilty wizard in the list of options/actions.

[bozo]

Originally Posted by Tainamom I noticed somewhere online that there's a newer Direct x ver. I hope my card works with it.

One of the nice things about XP is that it loaded with drivers for most devices. I wouldn't worry about getting updated drivers prior to installing XP...just install XP and let it find & load the drivers, then if you have a problem device go looking for an update then.

You will love XP compaired to ME.

[glc]

I would also recommend that you leave your second hard drive disconnected till Windows is installed on the main drive.