Install XP Pro over ME ?

I have my sister in laws computer, they not just about nothing about computers. It is a Dell with Windows ME installed. It is riddled with pop ups and virus's.
Windows opens, slowly, with quite a few error messages. Norton anti virus deleted some files and so on.

Can I install XP pro over ME without losing all their programs and so on?

Thanks

 

My wild guess in your case is NO !!

An upgrade is not meant to or may not FIX problems.

BillyBob

 

Thanks. I figured it was a long shot.

 

If the XP Pro is an Upgrade CD you can do it, if a full version, meaning not an upgrade, you have to format the disk to install it.

You do know you can only put one copy of XP on one computer, right ?

If this XP Pro key is installed on another computer, it will not activate and within 30 days will not work at all.

Best to clean what you have on the Win ME, run antivirus, AdAware SE, Spybot Search & Destroy, A2 Squared, Ewido Security Suite, and maybe Stinger too.

 

thanks.
i already did spybot because it was already on the computer.
I cant completely open windows, I get error messages (Protection Error: Error 158) that hangs the computer once it pops up.

Once i can get past that I will be able to get connected to the internet and download those programs. Are they all free?

 

here is another question.
where can i find in ME what is loading when windows opens?

i did MSCONFIG from start, run. but i cant figure out what is giving me the error from above.

 

Hello Mlegg,

if a full version, meaning not an upgrade, you have to format the disk to install it
No, both retail and upgrade versions can be used to upgrade - there's no distinction.

Both versons can be used to clean install as well. With the upgrade, XP's install will ask for "proof" of a previous windows version.

Narrow it down by disabling/re-booting what's shown in msconfig one by one.

Regards - Charles

 

These quotes indicate MANY problems.

In this case I would suggest that you not even THINK about upgrading over top. I see way too many errors.

The main one being

Even if you do think about ( and dare to try ) MAKE DARN sure that Norton Anti-Virus has been illimminated

And it being an OEM ( It is a Dell ) I do not believe makes things any easier.

These are my thoughts anyway.

BillyBob

 

I agree, if you are going to upgrade, you need to make sure the system is clean first . I also recommend uninstalling as many programs (especially the antivirus ) as possible is a good idea. If anything goes bad in the upgrade programs which do not work often refuse to uninstall or reinstall. Same with files, delete what you want gone first.