Upgrading to WinXP.

[Neipas02]

With the newer versions of XP aren't you required to activate it before 30 days? I don't believe you can have the same product key used on multiple systems. They do the hardware hash and keep it in their records don't they? And check it against any other machine previously used to install that key.. Maybe i'm wrong or forgetting part of the process. But I thought they took measures against that now.

[gjb1]

DABhad,

I'd choose the option to reformat my hard-drive.

Originally Posted by Neipas02

With the newer versions of XP aren't you required to activate it before 30 days? I don't believe you can have the same product key used on multiple systems. They do the hardware hash and keep it in their records don't they? And check it against any other machine previously used to install that key.. Maybe i'm wrong or forgetting part of the process. But I thought they took measures against that now.

This is my concern. However, what I have is not a particularly new version of XP HE. Do you know of a way to check and see if my version is old enough to install and work on two PCs?

thanks

[TippeX]

you dont have to reformat, xp has a program to convert fat32 drives to ntfs and so on.. 98 is dead.. there is one reason to upgrade and if you cant find a driver for xp for your hardware then your hardware is either (1) rare (2) discontinued, all in all im sorry dabhand but the reasons you state really dont hold water

[gjb1]

Can I select what I want kept? My PC is currently a mess. It needs to be cleared out. It would be nice if I could keep my email and internet in tact (so I don't have to spend forever getting them up and running again). Is there a way to clean out everything else besides those two things?

thanks

[TippeX]

email (assuming its outlook) you can export the address list and messages i think, internet depends on the setup, if its dialup i think you can save the configuration, if not just note down the settings.. it really isnt that difficult, if you update with any luck the data will be retained.. a fresh install will definately not retain the data...

[DABhand]

Originally Posted by TippeX

you dont have to reformat, xp has a program to convert fat32 drives to ntfs and so on.. 98 is dead.. there is one reason to upgrade and if you cant find a driver for xp for your hardware then your hardware is either (1) rare (2) discontinued, all in all im sorry dabhand but the reasons you state really dont hold water

Oh yes they do..


It is my business after all, reinstalling etc....


When upgrading from 98>XP (Not a fresh install but an upgrade) you arent getting a 100% working XP, some things are not changed from 98.


If you dont believe that 98>XP upgrade doesnt cause problems, take a little poll and see how many people have had problems when upgrading compared to when they did a fresh install.

[acal3000]

[

I'm agree with dabhand in my experience upgrading OS I have seen horrible things when you upgrade over the previous operating system and partition without format first That is whal I always do. All what he said is true

[DABhand]

Cheers acal you knew it makes sense

[Warlock]

I agree with DABhand as well. You also may have to Upgrade the PC"s RAM depending on what its currently using. XP is very RAM hungry compaired to 98 and wont run correctly if it doesnt have enough.