Upgrading Windows

seifer699 · Feb 24, 2006

When upgrading windows do you have to format your comp?

I want to upgrade Win2k to WinXp...Is this possible without formatting, or do i have to?

DavidGP · Feb 24, 2006

Which version of XP are you upgrading to?

If XP Home then you will have to format before installing, if XP Pro then you can just upgrade without formatting.

TBH tho, I would always suggest a clean install of a new OS rather than the upgrade, this way you are not left with any residual old files from the previous OS.

also do a bit of prep work before installing, backup all your important data, search for any updated device drivers and even run the compatability wizard from the CD, to check for any problem software or hardware devices before the install.

nice guide for XP pre/post setup http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/intro.mspx

seifer699 · Feb 24, 2006

Could you suggest some ways of backing up the files?

Mada_Milty · Feb 24, 2006

If you have a home network, you can backup to another machine. If you have a DVD burner, you can fit alot of files on a blank disc. Backup to CD is another viable option. (I'm assuming you don't have a tape drive) Also, if you don't already have it, I recommend WinRAR, on highest compression, to reduce the amount of space necessary.

Personally, whenever I perform a new install, I partiton the hard drive into two logical drives. A small one to install the operating system, and programs on, and a larger one for my files. That way, if i have to do another install, or defrag, or chkdsk, its quick, and doesn't affect my files on the other partition.

Insomniac · Feb 24, 2006

Try the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, it's on the XP CD autoplay menu.

seifer699 · Feb 24, 2006

Mada_Milty said:

If you have a home network, you can backup to another machine. If you have a DVD burner, you can fit alot of files on a blank disc. Backup to CD is another viable option. (I'm assuming you don't have a tape drive) Also, if you don't already have it, I recommend WinRAR, on highest compression, to reduce the amount of space necessary.

Personally, whenever I perform a new install, I partiton the hard drive into two logical drives. A small one to install the operating system, and programs on, and a larger one for my files. That way, if i have to do another install, or defrag, or chkdsk, its quick, and doesn't affect my files on the other partition.
Click to expand...

How do you partition and so on? =S

DavidGP · Feb 26, 2006

A good writeup on partitions and partitioning http://www.theeldergeek.com/hard_drives_03.htm

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Upgrading Windows

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