Upgrade to XP or not??

[Penguin]

I am looking to upgrade to XP. I am currently running ME. A piece of software that I may be purchasing advises to use XP, 2000 or NT. They say ME will work but may cause some problems.

First of all if I upgrade to XP from ME, will I have to buy new software to run on XP, or should everything I am running work?
I know you alll don't know exactly what programs I have, but it is kind of a general question. Some programs I am running are Word, Excel,Norton System Works 2003, adware, Quicken 2000...

Will I have to reinstall any of my old software if I upgrade to XP?

[Force Flow]

First of all, many of us here don't have a very high opinion of Norton system works, since half the time they actually cause the problems

Second, ME is known as the buggy MS O/S, so that's good that you're thinking of getting away from it.

Third, it would be best if you did a fresh install of XP so that you have no problems starting off with XP. An O/S upgrade like this can sometimes be a real pain.

If you do a fresh install, you will need to reinstall everything. If you do an upgrade, some of the progs will work, some won't. That's one reason why an O/S upgrade can be a pain.

[pam123]

Before I switched to XP I got the free MicroSoft cd from CompUSA that surveyed my entire system and told me what I would have to change. That was back in Dec. 02, so they're still out there, just ask around. This way you'll know exactly what will happen with your programs and peripherals.
All I had to do was download a few drivers and my previously 98se comp was back in the game.
I used the XP upgrade but did it as a clean install, I had a 98se cd, and while my experiments have resulted in a few System Restores and one reinstall the OS has been no trouble.
Hope this helps.

[Penguin]

Thanks.

I have had absolutely no problems with ME or Norton System works. Actually this has probably been my most stable system. No complaints. I know what you are saying and have read all about it, but for some reason I have been blessed with my current build. I may just leave it as is an cross my fingers again and just see if the software would work just fine for what I need it for.

The reason for upgrading was to make sure that the new software would work and I would have no problems. However, I don't want to have to buy all new software if I were to upgrade, and from the sounds of it it does not look like that is the situation.

It just sounds like I would have to basically do a new install of everything if I were to change to XP.

[bailey]

no

you will not have to buy any new software at all

everything you are running with me will work just fine with xp.

xp is a much better o/s than me could ever hope to be.

yes a clean install is always much better way to go than upgrading from me

just read the instructions carefully and ask here for any advive or help you might want or need to do it.

I have not as yet found any software that does not run with xp perfectly.

so go for it, just get xp-home as you do not need xp-pro

[Force Flow]

And don't forget to download SP1a for XP

[sleepypost]

hey force_flow, what is sp1a? i know what it is but why is it worth it? thanks.

[Spyda]

whats the 'a' for, i have only seen SP1

[not important]

I have never had any significant problems with ME and no problems at all with Norton products.
I do like XP a lot more than 98 or ME. I had no problems, doing a clean install, with the upgrade.

[Penguin]

Ok well I think I am going to upgrade to XP.

Thanks to everyone for the info and help. I will post if I have any problems.

You guys are the best. Can always count on everyone here being very helpful.

Keep up the good work everyone.

[Force Flow]

SP1a for XP Pro: http://microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/d...ds/default.asp

SP1a for XP Home: http://microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/...ds/default.asp

[rave]

YES!

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by rave YES!

"Yes!" what?

[Confused]

I have XP and run all the programs you mentioned with the exception of Norton Systemworks.

I strongly encourge you to have backups if you plan to do a upgrade. A lot of people on this forum report problems with upgrades. And to top it off you run Systemworks.

Personally I would do a clean install.
Chas

[Hazydeth]

If your gunna buy XP you should check out the OEM versions on Ebay. I got windows xp pro for about $60 (WHAT A DEAL!)

[jeresimo]

Have you considered DUAL BOOTING you got 40 GB of HDrive and put XP in separate partition. It will help you in a sort of transition from ME to XP. If you could get hold of Partition Magic this will make it easy to do that.

Also if somethings goes wrong you could always use ME to go to the Internet and ask for help here.

[Penguin]

I have Partion Magic, and I am thinking of a dual boot option. Just not sure what direction to take yet. i think I will think about it a little and then decide.

Thanks.

[rave]

yes as in i fully support the upgrade.........sorry being short...lol