If I upgrade from Windows XP MCE to Vista Premium - will I get to keep everything on my hard drive as is???

Question

I am SICK TO DEATH of my Dell XP MCE and I wanted to get Windows XP Pro - WITHOUT the MCE, unfortunately microsoft can't do it without totally wiping out my hard drive and reformatting my laptop.

So I guess my only other alternative is Vista Premium. But my question is will Vista wipe out my current hard drive? I want to keep everything in tact! I just got this laptop reformatted because of a virus and it cost $$$ and lots of time and I don't want to go through the hassle.

My drive is already partitioned because of the reformat from the virus? So how can I keep everything on my laptop? I HAVE to get XP MCE off my laptop! All my audio drivers etc aren't working right because of the compatibility issues. I checked on my hardware and there are updated drivers for Vista - now all I need to do is find a safe way to install Vista.

Is this at all possible or am I stuck with this F'd up Dell XP CME?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Basically Microsoft overwrite system folders and don't mess out with the other as long as you don't reformat or re-partition your drive. That means your data in your custom folder (not windows folder or its system folders such as Program Files, Windows, Documents and Settings, etc) should be intact. This should just answer your question.

But consider this. Vista is full of bug. It requires a much more stronger PC, that means you may spend several hundred dollars more to upgrade your PC. Because of such requirements, it burdens your PC and make your system slower. But indeed it has a nicer look than XP. More worse, Vista just keep asking and bugging you with stupid questions about everything.

If you have ever heard about Linux then maybe you want to give it a try. Linux is hassle free, less vulnerable to virus, and has a nice look that can be customized as well. There are many distros (in english: variations) of Linux, but basically they are just more less the same. If you are new to Linux, then try Ubuntu, or Linux Mint. Since June 2007, Dell offers Ubuntu in its products, and now Lenovo tries to sell Linux based computers too. For easier than Ubuntu (in case of out-of-the-box readiness) try Linux Mint.

Answer 2

Are you flying with a net, i.e., no backups? Save yourself a lot of heartache and aggravation. Invest in an external USB hard drive and copy/backup all files you created. In the event of a crash you would only have to reinstall the programs and copy your backups over to the new hard drive.

Don't be in such a hurry to upgrade to Vista. XP has most bugs worked out of it and Microsoft is going to offer non-technical support for another five years - to about 2011-12. Additionally, some older programs may or may not work with Vista.

Before you make a move, I suggest you run the Vista advisor. You may not even be able to handle it. The advisor will let you know.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

Answer 3

why upgrade to vista
xp is a lot better than vista
it slows down you computer
and especially if you have an old computer, you must not upgrade to vista...

believe it or not during the Back to school sale i bought a hp laptop and returned it and took a macbook.....

if you want your life to run smooth, GET A MAC

Answer 4

far as i know mce is xp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_Media_Center_Edition