[robarb]

Hello. I recently acquired a copy of Windows XP Professioal, but I'm not quite sure about the setup process. All the PC's that I've had in the past came preloaded with Windows, so I have no experience in upgrading. The one thing I would like to know is do I have to uninstall my current version (ME) after I put in XP, or will XP just override ME? Would it transfer any of my applications or files, since it's not like I'm installing Linux or formatting the hard drive? Yes, this is probably a pretty rudimentary question, but I'm hoping that someone can help me out. Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

[Vetritus03]

you're in luck. WinXP made great strides in the upgrading process. you will find that you should get a 90% or better success rate of 100% of all your apps and hardware working after you complete the upgrade. i would first run the compatability utility available on the CD and for download at microsoft.com. that will tell you with high certainty what will and will not work. it will also tell you if you should first remove anything before upgrading. you do not need to remove WinMe at all. XP will take care of that. any stray files will be able to be deleted via the disk cleanup wizard after setup is finished. also if for any reason you need to revert back TO WinME after you upgrade you can do so via an entry in add/remove programs... assuming you did not delete the uninstall information. let us know if if you need anything else.

[robarb]

Thanks a lot. But there's still one thing I'm unclear about from your post. Say that I have Macromedia Flash MX installed on my ME system.. when I install XP, will I have to reinstall it, or will it still be there? The same question applies to My Documents.

And what about these driver issues I've heard about XP. I've heard that a lot of devices need updated drivers that are a pain to download. Is that the case?

I'm gonna take a look at the compatability utility from Microsoft.com, and if I have any problems with that, I'll report back.

One last thing... I'm wondering when to run the install. Is it a long process, or just something that will take about half an hour? Thanks again.

[mage]

your applications will still be there, mostly everything will be there as long as its xp compatible. though even at that almost all major software is either compatible or they have released patches for it. the same wit hardware and drivers. you should find most things to be intact.

[aswettla]

documents will stay the same. Your sys prefs won't though.

[MarkoDaGeek]

some sys prefs will stay some the same , some will change ..

the upgrade won't even change your desktop backround , so its not going to change any major settings.

[robarb]

Well thanks everybody for help. I'm probably gonna run install tomorrow, so I'll report back if I have any problems

[robarb]

Additionally, I was downloading drivers for XP today, before the install, in the case that I lose my internet connection. However, I was wondering what drivers I would need. Obviously I've gotten ones for my digital camera, video card, and sound card, but would I need drivers for my Modem or anything like that? Thanks.

[mage]

wut computer do u have?

[robarb]

HP Pavilion 853 Mhz, but I dont think that's relevant.
I know i would need printer drivers, but would i need any drivers for my DVD drive for example?

[robarb]

Ok, I ran the XP Compatability Program, and there were a couple of things that I was unclear about, and I thought someone here might know

Quote

Hardware Compatibility Issues
-----------------------------
Setup has found hardware on your computer that is incompatible with
(that is, it does not work with) Windows XP.

Hardware That Might Need Additional Files

The following hardware might need additional files in order to work
with Windows XP. Contact your hardware vendors to obtain Windows XP
compatible updates. In many cases, if a Windows XP version is not yet
available, a Windows 2000 compatible update should work. It is
recommended that you obtain these drivers in advance.

You can also view the Microsoft Windows XP Hardware Compatibility
List at:

http://www.microsoft...r=Help&Sba=comp
atible

Please note that some of the following entries might be software that
is registered as hardware.

    Network adapters
      WAN Miniport (ATW)

    Universal Serial Bus controllers
      Elex USB Flash Memory Controller Driver(05/03/02) (not
        currently present)
      TooDis HMS30C6001 Reset Driver (not currently present)

Does anyone know what these could be? I know that the last two say that they aren't present, but it also said that about my printer, and that's very much plugged in.

Quote

Software Incompatible with Windows XP
-------------------------------------

Incompatible Hardware Accessories

The following programs support your computer hardware; however, they
are incompatible with Windows XP.  To see whether updated versions of
these programs are available, visit your hardware manufacturer's Web
site.

    Keyboard Manager (on the Start menu)

That's my keyboard software, and it says that it's not XP compatable. The keyboard/software came packaged with my HP machine. Should I just get a new keyboard, or do you not even need software? It should be noted that it is a multimedia keyboard.

If anybody could help me out before I install this, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

[Vetritus03]

ok buddy... don't freak out on us. the WANminiport is a built in M$ driver... that'll be ok. the USB thing sounds like a flash card reader... possibly for your digital camera? the TooDis thing... i dunno. if you do, then try to find drivers for it. your keyboard manager should still work, but it would be a good idea to get a new one from HP if available. you don't need a new keyboard... your basic keys will work no matter what... the multi-function keys may be history, but if you find software from HP or maybe even re-install what you have now you will be fine. as for DVD... i'd get new software... perhaps WinDVD? i use that and i know it works. i wouldn't go out and buy it till i knew yours didn't work after the upgrade. even if your DVD player software doesn't launch after upgrade try using media player... sometimes it'll pick up the DVD codecs and just work on its own.

[robarb]

Thanks man.. I'll report back once I get XP up (and hopefully running)