You are viewing an archive version of a topic
Click here to view the full version : If I were to install Windows XP...
madrusty289
2.09.04, 4:59 pm
I'm thinking of installing Windows XP on my computer, since its works fine but is becoming a bit unstable. Keeping in mind that I have an 80gb external hard drive, I would like answers to the following:
1) Would it be possible to install XP on my external drive (USB 2.0)? I doubt it......
2) When I install XP, will the contents of my C: drive be erased? It's not a huge deal if the answer is yes, since I can just export the important stuff to the external.
I might think of some more later. Thanks in advance.
1.) Possibly, but fear the army of slow.
2.) Mine wasn't, so I'll say no.
madrusty289
2.09.04, 5:13 pm
ND4SPDR said:
1.) Possibly, but fear the army of slow.
Suprisingly enough, my external is faster than my internal. Probably because my internal is 5400 RPM.
Having done an XP upgrade from Win98 (I'm assuming you have Win98?) I can tell you the upgrade process was pretty darned painless and very little was lost. I only had to reinstall drivers for a couple of peripherals (I have some pretty odd ones).
madrusty289
2.09.04, 5:30 pm
I have ME. And I don't hate it! I just think its time to move on....
OK well, what parts do you have in your comp? Your ram speed and processor, if it is running ME, your computer is to slow for XP. And your C:\ Drive will most probably, acctually most definatly be earased so i suggest copying files to your external drive, or, using your current one as a slave and purchase a brand new hard drive. I think a western Digital or a Maxtor 80gig is like 30 bucks, 7000 rpm.
vaio said:
OK well, what parts do you have in your comp? Your ram speed and processor, if it is running ME, your computer is to slow for XP. And your C:\ Drive will most probably, acctually most definatly be earased so i suggest copying files to your external drive, or, using your current one as a slave and purchase a brand new hard drive. I think a western Digital or a Maxtor 80gig is like 30 bucks, 7000 rpm.
His computer is far faster than mine and will run Windows XP without problems. My hard drive was not erased when I installed XP, nor was JANG's, so neither will his be.
Just make sure you have at least 128 megs of ram, otherwise you will not be happy with the speed! I've had Win XP pro for two years now and I love it, best win operating system in a long time. That's running it with 2 gigs of ram:D, so speed problems don't exist!
Ok, if you install a new operating system, you need to do somthing called reformatting before anything, so that will erase his data on the system drive.
vaio said:
Ok, if you install a new operating system, you need to do somthing called reformatting before anything, so that will erase his data on the system drive.
Incorrect. For the last time,
ND4SPDR said:
My hard drive was not erased when I installed XP, nor was JANG's, so neither will his be.
FrogmanNH
2.11.04, 3:18 pm
Sometimes if you don't erase the hard drive, you could end up with some problems that would make you wish you had.
madrusty289
2.11.04, 5:27 pm
One last question before I plunge into the world of XP:
If I am unhappy with it, or it fails to function properly, will my restore CD that came with my computer still be able to restore it to its factory settings, with Windows ME?
By the way, I have 256mb of RAM, although that is the max for my motherboard.
I believe so, but you'll lose all of your files and programs, if I remember correctly.
But you'll like it, particularly Pro, so nothing to worry about.
madrusty289
2.11.04, 5:43 pm
ND4SPDR said:
I believe so, but you'll lose all of your files and programs, if I remember correctly.
But you'll like it, particularly Pro, so nothing to worry about.
Yea, I knew it would erase my files. The beauty of a second drive.
I'm just worried that some of my programs might not integrate so well it XP, Pro or not.
madrusty289- 256 megs. of ram is good. When I first got XP pro installed on my last computer(it had 128 megs. of ram) I could not get it to print large and colorful things due to insufficient memory. As for being able to use a system restore disk to return to ME, I beleive the architecture of XP will not allow it done directly. If for any reason you decide to switch back just do a restart with your system disk inserted and it will reformat automatically. unfortunetly you will lose most of your files that way. I really don't think you will want to switch back to ME though! :D
madrusty289
2.11.04, 6:11 pm
bigwrenn said:
As for being able to use a system restore disk to return to ME, I beleive the architecture of XP will not allow it done directly. If for any reason you decide to switch back just do a restart with your system disk inserted and it will reformat automatically. unfortunetly you will lose most of your files that way. I really don't think you will want to switch back to ME though! :D
That's exactly what I was refering to. Thanks. :D
FrogmanNH
2.11.04, 7:18 pm
If I remember correctly, going from ME to anything newer was a bad idea. Maybe it was 98, it was a while ago, so I don't remember the details. My step-mom did something like that and some programs were really screwed up by the change and re-installing them just screwed up her computer. It really depends on the stuff you have installed currently, but I suggest that you back up everything important on your second drive and format your primary drive to start over from scratch, just in case.
madrusty289
2.12.04, 7:30 pm
Ok, and ran a "Upgrade Compatability Test" from Microsoft, and here are the results:
Hardware That Might Need Additional Files
HP LaserJet 1100 (printer)
ALi PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
USB 2.0 Root Hub
Software That Does Not Support Windows XP
Intel Graphics Technology (in control panel)
WildTangent Control Panel (in control panel)
Software That Might Not Support Windows XP
Pop-Up Stopper (a startup program)
Software That Must Be Reinstalled
DirectCD 3
Easy CD Creator 4
So my take on that is the following. The printer doesn't matter since I can just download the XP drivers from HP. I don't know about the USB stuff. The control panel things are extremely unimportant. I don't really need Pop-Up Stopper, but its likely that it will work anyway. But my main problem lies in the CD Creator program, since the came installed on my computer, and I won't be able to reinstall it. What do you guys think?
EDIT: I've worked out a few things. I found out that the Intel Graphics Technology thing doesn't matter at all. Also, I installed the most recent version of Pop-Up Blocker, which claims to support XP. And last but not least, I got the latest versions of DirectCD and Easy CD Creator. Still need some responses though....
Um, I've got Nero Burning Rom somewhere here if you want it. It's probably the best piece of burning software ever created.
madrusty289
2.14.04, 6:50 pm
Sounds good. Who knows? It might end up working anyway. Thanks guys for all the help. I believe that concludes this thread.
vBulletin® v3.6.4, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.