Windows XP question

Greetings all,

I know this may seem like a noob question but i am receiving my first laptop tomorrow. I did not purchase the windows to go along with(kicking self now) because i had a version of windows xp that bought years ago. Here is the question, this version is a upgrade version. Can this disc be used as a clean install OS or do i have to load my windows 98 disc than do the upgrade. God i hope not.

The reason i am even asking this is because i was under the understanding that the upgrade XP actually overwrites the 9x and actually just saved personal settings and integrated it back into XP when it was loaded


If i cannot do this i will probaly just go buy a new copy with sp2. I dont really want to have to load 9x on there.

Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

If you own an upgrade copy of WinXP, you will need to provide an older version of Windows (like 98/95) as verification for previous ownership, in order to do a clean install. You won't have to install 9x over again.

If you own an OEM copy of XP, it may not install on the new computer at all.

 

I do.
I have the original windows 98 disc with the COA/product key as well as the windows xp disc with the coa and product key. But the question is again can the windows xp upgrade disc be used for the clean OS install.

 

HMMM,
so i guess you did answer my question.
I have a retail version of Winsows XP uprade.
What your saying is i can load the XP disc but the comp will prompt me to insert the 98 disc as verification? Once verified it will install XP fully on my new comp?

Very noobish question i know and your info is grealt appreciated.

 

I believe you need a previus os loaded on it previously then you can do the upgrade to XP

 

No, with an upgrade version you CANNOT do a clean install of Windows XP. You need to install Windows 98 first and then upgrade to Windows XP. You upgrade to XP by putting the XP upgrade disc when you have booted into Windows 98.

If all of this seems like a lot of hassle to you, you can always call up your manafacturer and order the XP disc.

This is not a silly question leftinashes, your asking what you're unsure about....LOL

 

Yes, you have to install first windows 98 or ME and after upgrade to XP with this cd you have.
You can buy another XP cd

 

Are anyone sure of this, with XP in particular?
I know it was the case with Win98. If you had an upgrade version, an earlier OS had to be installed already.

But I have a vague memory that with the XP upgrade version, you can actually install from scratch.

So no, I'm not saying you're all wrong, just asking if everony *knows* for sure that it is the case with Windows XP in particular. Because I can't remember.

(By the way, your XP license is only valid for one PC. You are supposed to buy a copy for each computer you install it on)

 

I've never done it, but I did a bit of searching and I'm pretty sure (multiple sources) that you CAN do a clean install of XP without installing an older version, you will just be prompted to insert the CD of the old version for verification.

 

the last time i had to do what you're talking about (upgrad path) was many years ago. at that time, the upgrade disc required a previous OS installed.

it may be different now, i don't know.

however, all of this is moot because it doesn't change the fact that you're going to try it anyways and if it doesn't work you'll have to get a full copy of XP anyway unless you want a computer without an OS.

 

I have read that windows upgrade will install if you simply place the previous version windows disk in the drive when prompted, that you did not accually have to have the OS installed. Just becuase I read it on the internet does not mean it is true.

 

I have done that before. XP upgrade will ask for the install disc of a previous version of Windows to verify that you have a legit upgrade path, and aren't just trying to scam the sytem.
The more important thing is what version of XP are you installing? Because I don't believe that XP supports SATA drives out of the box until SP1. So you may need a driver disk for your SATA controller.
If it ends up being too much of an issue, look at www.newegg.com and see what they price XP at. Probably your best idea.

 

Ok, I have an .ISO version of the upgrade for XP pro that I got through my schools software agreement with Microsoft. I have a new HD coming for a computer I am upgrading, and I was trying to avoid installing XP home, and then having to go back and istall XP pro. The biggest concern I have is the product key working again without having to call MS. after the changes made. I know the XP pro activation will work, since I can use it on as many computers that I do school work on. If I can just run the ISO and pop in the my XP home disk it will make my like so much easier.

 

Guys, I have confirmed that you can indeed load an upgrade disc WITHOUT having to load windows 9x, ME etc etc. It does however just ask you load in the old disc for verification purposes. Windows XP upgrade is indeed a full version of windows, file for file the same as a full version. I however had other issues attributed to the XP disc i have is an older version without SP2 and my new lappy would not load it because i guess it did not have SATA/RAID support.
But i have fixed that by just buying a new retail upgrade xp with sp2, recognized it and it loading as we speak. You can also try slipstreaming a boot cd with sp2 on it for those of you with older xp versions