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Install XP on Dell Factory installed ME

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by joste, 2003/03/23.

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  1. 2003/03/23
    joste

    joste Inactive Thread Starter

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    My h/d went south , but is still under warantee so Dell is sending me a new one. It's a 60 meg drive with ME (dell installed) on it. The computer is 1.3 ghz w 256ram and still quite useful so I thought I'd install XP on it instead of the pre-installed ME -

    Can anyone give me an idea of what needs to be done to make a clean install? Any reason I shouldn't do this?
    thanks up front...
    joste
     
    joste,
    #1
  2. 2003/03/23
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Joste,

    This should not be a problem! A lot depends on which XP cd you have - full version or upgrade.

    If you have a full version XP cd check that the bios is set up to boot from the CD drive, insert the cd and reboot. The pc should now boot from the cd and follow the on screen instructions to instal XP. If given the option to format the drive do so for a clean instal - I would go for NTFS file system, but you can convert later.(I assume that there is no data on that HDD, only Win ME).

    If you are certain that you can boot from the cd you could start the PC using the Win ME Start Up disk, format the drive and then reboot from the cd to install XP.

    If you can't boot from the CD drive then just insert the XP cd and follow the on screen instructions.

    If you have an XP upgrade cd you have 2 options depending on whether you have the ME cd or not;I suspect you do not have an ME cd. In this case a simple upgrade is all that you can do - simply insert the cd into the drive with the PC booted up and follow the on screen instructions. A clean install is not possible without an ME Cd for XP to confirm that you are entitled to an upgrade.

    Good Luck - and welcome to the XPerience ;)
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2003/03/23
    joste

    joste Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete,
    Thanks for your reply. I got to thinking about what you said so I called Dell again and they inform me that they are sending a blank hard drive. I do have the original OEM Dell ME CD, which they will help me install. I have not yet purchased XP. So do I get you right that I can purchase an upgrade? And if I do so I will have to install ME and then put XP on over it???

    Or can I purchase an upgrade and still do a clean install. I have heard that a clean install is best with installation of the new service pack before i install any software. Lotsa questions i know but I dont think I can endure ME much longer anyway. My wife's XP machine never crashes. My ME crashes at will. It was after a crash that the hd went south. I would even go so far as to buy a new copy of XP home ( i even think about 2000).
    thanks for your help and any more suggestions you might have.

    joste
     
    joste,
    #3
  5. 2003/03/24
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Hi Joste,

    My own experience of ME is similar to yours - I had it on my PC for 6 days before I dumped it! Yet I know folks who have had no problems at all.

    I would not really consider Win 2000, XP is effectively the revised version and much better to have the same OS on both your computers.

    Upgrades are the full version of the program and check for a pre-installed version. If one is not found on the drive the instal program asks for 'evidence' - i.e. 'Insert the ME cd' for example. When satisfied that you are entitled to an upgrade the instal program goes ahead with a clean instal.

    As you have, or will have a blank unformatted HDD and you have an ME cd my suggestion would be to get hold of the upgrade to XP.

    Boot from the XP cd, format the drive and instal XP. If it all goes pearshaped you still have the option to install ME and upgrade.
     
    PeteC,
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