XP Installation

I have tried to install an OEM copy of XP Pro as an upgrade to get rid of a preinstalled Portuguese version of XP home but I get this message


"The language of this installation of windows differs from the one you are installing. The option to upgrade will not be available. "

Any ideas how to get around this? Can I just uninstall the Portuguese version and start again with the PRO disc? If not how do I clean off the Portuguese version?

 

Just delete the partition with something like dos fdisk (on win95/98 startup floppy); then boot the CD and install - it will make a new partition and format it and install windows.

 

Thanks but my tower does not have a floppy disc reader and I do not have win 95/98 anyway.

 

If you have a cd writer you can make a bootamle CD with fdisk on it if you can get a copy from a friend, or download it from here. Its possible it may run from the hard disk if you can reboot to a command prompt (taping F8 after POST).

 

If you have a legit copy of XP Pro, you can make a clean install by setting the BIOS to boot from cd and using the disk. By upgrade, did you mean you tried to install without losing the current Portugese install? If you boot to the cd and do a clean install, the old Portugese install will be gone, along with all data. If you have an upgrade version of XP, you must provide proof of a previous version of Windows when it asks, but it will not need those files to install, just to verify that you are allowed to use the upgrade version. If you have a copy of XP that someone made for you and you do not have a valid key, you are better off leaving your old install, because a pirate copy will not be able to receive any updates even if you can get it to install, and it will not work properly (as well as being against the law!)
Hope this helps,
Johanna

 

Thanks Sparrow and Johanna. I do have a legit copy of XP Pro but as a complete beginner it is all a bit daunting talking about BIOS etc.and losing all data. I have checked out info on the web but it all seems VERY complicated. Yes,I did try to install without losing the current Portuguese version (shows what a novice I am!) I thought it would just overwrite/upgrade.

I will try it again over the weekend.