From: "Bill T." 
To: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Bill T." 


I have converted several systems to XP recently.  It's much more stable
than Win98, and a huge improvement over Windows ME.

However, there are some catches:

1. You'll have MUCH better luck if you do a "clean install"
rather than "installing over" your previous version.  There's a
lot of material on the Microsoft site about this, such as -

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/honeycutt/02october07.asp

Basically, you install Windows XP next to your old operating system, and
then specify which programs and setttings should be "brought
over."  This cleans out the dead registry and driver stuff that your
system has accumulated over the years, and will give you a good stable
system.  But it's a little complicated, so be sure to read the how-to's
first.

2. Unless you have a very recent install CD, you will have to download
maybe 40+ megs of service pack stuff over the Internet.  It's a lot easier
if you order the SP1 CD from Microsoft.com, which takes about a week to
arrive in the mail.

3. A lot of old drivers and programs won't work.  Most older versions of CD
Creator will be rejected and disabled...the most expensive part of
upgrading can be purchasing new CD creation software.  Be advised that the
native Windows XP CD writing software is pathetically slow.  Most DVD
playback programs will also be rejected.  XP will tell you what programs
and hardware are not going to work early in the install, and gives you a
chance to back out.  Before installing XP check with all your hardware and
software vendor web sites to see if XP upgrades are available, most offer
them for free (but not Roxio aka CD Creator).

4. Before anything else use Ghost or some other disc copy program to make a
bootable copy hard disc of your old system.  Make sure the copy works, then
install XP on the copy, and save your original disc just in case.

If you don't like the new look, you can revert to the old style using
Display in Control Panel.

Bill T.

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