Installing Windows XP

by don hebert Nov 19, 2004 12:27AM PST

I am currently using Microsoft Millenium on my desktop. Recently I acquired Windows XP and would like to install it. Do I need to do anything to my existing files in order to install XP? Or is it just a matter of putting the XP CD-ROM in the drive and letting it replace Millenium?

Thank you,

Don Hebert

Discussion is locked

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Re: Installing Windows XP (could my files be at risk?)

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Nov 19, 2004 12:31AM PST

If I read your post 2 times I see that the question is not only how to install XP (http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPHome/installxphome1.htm) but if your files are at risk.

Let me be blunt. Installing an OS is much like a highwire act. No backup is like performing the highwire act with a net.

Your choice on such risky behaviour.

Bob

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Re: Installing Windows XP (could my files be at risk?)

by rub Nov 28, 2004 4:57AM PST

I reinstall XP quite regularly. I refuse to walk on eggs when I'm browsing. In addition, it's obvious XP can't work with very many apps without corrupting something. So I have everything I want to save, backed up on external HDs, normally disconnected, with short term backup on internal HDs, disconnected until I'm sure the system is clean for a new backup. I have one master with only XP on it and the slave with everything else, which I transfer to the other HDs when safe, sometimes every couple of days. I haven't lost any files in several years with this system. I wouldn't dream of a reinstall with any valued files exposed to either XP or Malware, they're close cousins. I always do a format with Maxblast which takes everything off the corrupted HD ( as far as I can tell anyway ) and the install of XP is always easy if it can't find any old files to look at, even though it has never been the same install twice - always a small, different hiccup. Since MS has so much camouflaged or hidden, I have to use empirical methods - I can't find either the tools or info to do the job analytically.

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Re: Installing Windows XP

by Merl Priester Nov 28, 2004 11:38AM PST

In addition to what others have posted here.
XP Upgrade will upgrade you Windows ME and replace it.
I don't prefer upgrades, clean installs instead.

If this is not an upgrade disk, it will not do an upgrade, you will need to wipe WinME off and start clean.
This is better anyway.

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Re: Installing Windows XP

by pixman Nov 28, 2004 1:34PM PST

Dude, back up your files! Back up everything you possibly can squeeze onto a CD, or CDs. Install XP and enjoy. Despite what you may read in other XP discussions, this is an excellent OS when compared to all previous. I use it and have a computer LOADED with apps. I have 42 shortcut icons on screen, loads of graphics on my drives, spy catchers, ad catchers, etc. Good ol' XP just sails along handling all I can throw at it. System? 2.6GHz Intel, 1.0GB RAM, 160GB in HDD, CD & DVD burners, WinTV PVR, Flash reader, Scanner, printer, cable i-net, all running in XP Home edition. And, they are always powered up awaiting a command. When I ask for one of them to perform, no waiting, no problem. Yup, all on XP home edition. I use PS7 on photos, publisher, etc. XP works. Works Well. Occasional defrags, blank space wipes, and RESTORE POINTS. Try XP, you'll like it.

Installing Windows XP

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