Joined on 05-24-2005
TechSoup Member
We are planning an upgrade to XP pro on some new Dell computers we just received that came with XP home installed. I've heard some talk about potential problems with this process, possibly related to the service pack 2?
I'd appreciated any advice before we actually start going through with this and run into problems.
Thanks! Ann.
Hi Ann,
I'm not aware of any specific problems, however it's generally better if you can do a clean install rather than an upgrade. As the machines are new, you might have more success if you reload them with XP Pro.
Good luck!
Don
I agree with Don. I prefer a clean install. Are the machines identical? How many do you have to do? If there are quite a few it might be better to do one and then image it to the rest?
Joined on 10-17-2006
TechSoup Member
Hi All. I've got another question that is related to this topic. I am considering the same upgrade that Ann wants to do on some Dell boxes--And I also prefer a clean install.
My question is, since the license that Tech-Soup provides is just an upgrade, how can I purchase entire installations of XP Pro? Can I install any copy I have of XP Pro and then use the licenses that are issued to my organization?
Thanks for your help!
Mr. "used to Site-Licenses" Dano
Hi Dano,
I haven't tried it, but I believe the XP upgrade media allows you to do a 'clean' install - providing you have licenses for the existing software on each PC, you should be able to reload with the upgrade media.
Don
"you should be able to reload with the upgrade media. "
Yes that worked for me Don.
Definitely do a clean install where you delete the existing partition and reformat the drive. You will have many less problems in the future, plus it doesn't really take that much extra work to do it from scratch.
Joined on 10-17-2006
TechSoup Member
Thanks Don, Hillie and others!
.dano
(thanks Hillie - thought it should work but good to hear from someone who has actually done it !)