OT: XP New Install

TomG wrote on 2/27/2003, 6:51 PM
Sorry for the OT post, but I don't know who else to turn to. In order to increase my rendering time, I hope, I am upgrading my Dell 8011 1.3 MHz machine from Window ME to XP Pro. Of course the first thing they hit you with is "do you want to update or new install?" After reading tons of stuff about XP Pro, I'm still not sure exactly what I will lose if I do the new install (which is what I think I should do). I assume a new install does not format my HD? I really don't care about my OS settings but I don't want to lose my IE favorites, address books or other personal stuff. Anybody do this recently and have some words of wisdom?

Thanks,

TomG

Comments

Baylo wrote on 2/27/2003, 8:37 PM
The perennial upgrader's dilemma....

My opinion:

You should absolutely do a new install rather than an upgrade. I've done both before (from ME to XP), and Windows is much happier and more stable with a clean install. An upgrade may work OK for you, depending on your existing hardware and software, but it's a kludge.

BUT, a clean install will wipe the disk, and you'll be reinstalling everything all over again. Make sure you have a good backup of all you essential data files, etc. In my opinion it's worth the hassle.

In any event, make sure you have XP drivers handy for all your hardware.

By the way, I don't know if XP will decrease your render times (I doubt it), but it will definitely make your computer more stable. I don't hear many people wanting to go back to ME after using XP.

Mark
MyST wrote on 2/27/2003, 9:20 PM
People on the Acid forum mentioned some problems regarding going the upgrade route instead of full install. Forgot what the problems were, but the consensus seems to be to go the full install.

HTH

M

PS: Make sure all your hardware is compatible with XP, or like me, it might cost you more than just the OS.
SonyTSW wrote on 2/27/2003, 10:15 PM
You can easily export your IE favorites to an html file on your hard drive, which you can use to make a backup copy. Then you can import this into IE after you've installed XP (or on another machine for that matter). Just look in the IE help index for "export" or "import".

There should be a similar way to export your address book, etc.

BTW, if you purchased software online, you'll want to back up the emails you received that contain serial numbers, maybe even print a hard copy of them.
snicholshms wrote on 2/28/2003, 12:20 AM
Trust me...DO NOT upgrade from ME!!! I did that and it was a continual nightmare. Buy the full XP Pro and you won't look back. Upgrade from ME and you will get queasy just thinking about "what will happen next?" every time you go to start your PC!
TomG wrote on 2/28/2003, 8:04 AM
OK, it sounds like the new install is the way to go. One last question, since I have two physical HDs on my system, and a new install will reformat my primary C: drive, can I safely move all my video and audio files and other backup files to the second drive for safe-keeping during the new install? That drive won't be zapped too, will it?

Thanks,

TomG
ibliss wrote on 2/28/2003, 8:18 AM
Not, not unless you instruct the installer to format it :)

Bear wrote on 2/28/2003, 8:57 AM
I had ME on one of my computers and 98se on the other I got so disgusted with ME I wiped the computer and installed 98se. I upgraded to xp from 98se with no problems at all.
Baylo wrote on 2/28/2003, 10:52 AM
Actually, you don't need to buy the 'full' XP Pro. As long as you have an original CD for 98 or ME, you can buy the XP Pro Upgrade, which is significantly cheaper.

Commence the install from the XP CD as a clean install. This will wipe the HD as already discussed. At a certain point early in the installation procedure (probably before wiping the HD, though I don't quite remember) the installer will ask you to insert your 98 / ME CD. Once it has verified the authenticity of that CD it will spit the CD back out at you and ask for the XP CD again. At that point the installation will continue uninterrupted.

There is NO difference between the XP upgrade CD and the full version, other than the need to have an original 98 / ME CD for verification. Result - no 98 / ME crap hindering an XP installation.

Mark
Baylo wrote on 2/28/2003, 10:54 AM
Yes - you can safely move the data to a non-system HD. If you want to be totally sure that you're safe when reformatting (ie you don't trust yourself to click the right buttons), disconnect your data HD!

Mark