Trying to update my operating system from windows me to windows xp - help! I am not great at anything tech..?

Question

Hi, my Mum has windows Me - I bought herXP to update her system so that she can then install a printer she bought. I installed xp last night but when the PC boots up Me is still there too. On the Xp screen there are no icons/broadband etc. If during start up I go down with the arrow and select the Me then all her files/broadband are as before.

I tried to install her bt broadband onto her xp but it only got so far then said could not detect a connection -phoned BT and spent an hour on phone with woman who told me in the end that my XP system has no network connection -is this because the broadband is still activated in Me? Reluctant to lose it here incase I end up with no net connection.

Foolishly I thought new operating system would mean that Me would delete itself and all files/broadband -everything else would merge seamlessly into the one system - help please

Thanks so much in advance - feel so out of my depth here

Answer 1

I never recommend upgrading from one Windows OS to another. It always causes more problems than it's worth in my experience. It's better to delete all hard drive partitions and then select new installation of Windows during the initial phase of the install process. -yk

Answer 2

Hi Red.. Please read all this B4 starting and if you can print it off...... You might have to set the PC to boot from CD ROM what you will have to do is put the CDin the PC and start the PC if it says to boot from CD ROM Press any key then tap any key and it should boot from the CD if this option dosent come up then you will have to set the PC to boot from the CD ROM and this is done through the BIOS.... Now going into the BIOS can be very dodgy if you change something you shouldn't then the PC might not boot again. When you get the PC to boot from your new XP disc the screen will turn blue with files being copied over to your PC there will be several questions on the way nuthing to worry about if you read them and think logicaly...... There will be a window asking you where you want to install your new software and it would be best to delete all the partitions and recreate a new partition... this will delete your installed copy of XP and ME...... (unless there are folders you want to save then it would be best to back them up to CD B4 you start this operation). Then just follow the instructions as they appear when you have installed XP your hardware will need all the drivers for it to work and most things are covered by XP but of corse there are allways things that arn't so you will need the Installation CDs that came with your hardware.... If you can access the net then you can get most drivers at www.driverguide.com this site covers a huge amount of hardware and if they dont have the drivers normally you are redirected to the manufacturers web site.... Good luck and if you get really stuck give me a call..... Budds....07715847577

Answer 3

domicile windows XP has been out long adequate that the utility dirvers and interfaces are extremely stable. when you consider that Vista replaced into released, all OEM providers are utilising it. it in all fairness stable yet nevertheless has some problems. SP1 launch could make it very stable. some providers don't have Vista updates attainable yet extra are popping out daily. Microsoft would be dropping all help on XP in 4 years or much less. the only producer i comprehend of which will sell a sparkling device with XP is Dell. in case you get a sparkling device, make certain it extremely is unquestionably geared up with processor velocity and RAM to assist Vista. Toshiba is a suitable device in laptops, yet could be costly in case you do no longer seize them on sale. circulate to a important shop and attempt the structures. Do you like the texture of the keyboard, does the exhibit look stable, does it have the extras you choose. there will be some great revenues precise before college and at exertions Day. do no longer overlook to checkout the place of work furnish shops. they each and every so often are fairly fee aggressive. you will see that the Dell products at Wal-Mart. it extremely is beneficial to circulate to the Microsoft internet site and look on the device standards fot distinctive Vista variations. i comprehend it extremely is long yet had to cover each and every thing.

Answer 4

After you install XP Your PC will have 2 operations systems.. so what you have to do is restart your PC and before it loads windows me keep pressing the F8 or F5 button a screen will appear to you that asks you to choose the required operating system.. or if you want to activate the safe mood and etc..
so choose XP and if there is an option that allows you to make it as your default choose it..

Answer 5

Did you buy her the XP upgrade or a whole new XP? It sounds to me you bought her the new XP, in which case you neede to uninstall ME and then install XP. The better path would have been to use the upgrade route.

Answer 6

You probably needed to buy an XP upgrade rather than a full installation disk. That way it would have preserved what was already on there but updated the OS. Can you roll back to where you were before?

Answer 7

what you need to do is format the hard drive first then reinstall windows xp, but back up any files or programs that you want saved on to a disk,
how to format is simple run your xp setup and on there you should have an option to format drive (c) hope that helps

Answer 8

There is no Direct Upgrade
It is a lot better to install XP Pro from Scratch

Answer 9

Since you bought XP, you should have free product installation support coming from Microsoft. This will save you a lot of frustration, and it should be free.