I have some questions...

[CommanderHunt]

Alright, I have Windows Xp Pro and I would like to install it. here are the questions...

1. Will XP Pro install over Win 2k Pro that uses NTFS? Will I be able to keep all of my files?

2. Will XP Pro install over ME that uses FAT32? Will it convert FAT32 into NTFS? Will I be able to save my files?

3. Will XP Pro install over 98SE that ueses FAT32? Will it convert FAT32 into NTFS? Will I be able to save my files?

I think that is all the questions i ahve for now...

 

[Convergys]

It will give you the option on whether or not you want to convert the drive to NTFS filesystem...

 

[CommanderHunt]

Ya, IO already knew that, I want to convert into NTFS, but will I lose all data if I convert the FAT32 systems to NTFS?

 

[tikwanleap]

Originally posted by: CommanderHunt
Ya, IO already knew that, I want to convert into NTFS, but will I lose all data if I convert the FAT32 systems to NTFS?

no, you shouldn't lose data when you convert from FAT32 to NTFS.

 

[skyking]

What he said.
However, I would not do it without backing up critical things to another drive. I'm just paraniod, I guess, when replacing an operating system.

 

[CSFM]

Backing up is always the smart thing to do.

 

[skyking]

(only a tiny amount of sarcasm in my first post)

 

[prosaic]

As others have said, yes it will work. You won't lose your files, though it's INadvisable to do this without FIRST backing up the important stuff to other media / drives -- preferrably external media and / or other systems.

So, you will keep your data, and you will get to keep many / most (?) of your settings. But you will probably lose your sanity -- if you're even the least bit anal about system configuration and behavior. Upgrade installations of Windows operating systems don't usually produce the best-behaving PCs. This is especially true if you're having any kinds of device / driver problems with the old OS.

- prosaic

BTW, Just in case there might be a misunderstanding going on here. When you attempt to do an upgrade installation of WinXP over a previous version of Windows that's using a FAT32 partition you will wind up with a FAT32 partition. You can CONVERT it after the OS installation, but I don't think it will convert during the installation unless you delete the partition and re-create it as NTFS followed by formatting. In that case you would most assuredly lose your data. If the installation procedure actually allows you to CONVERT the partition from FAT32 to NTFS, then I am wrong about this. I have to admit it's something I just wouldn't use anyway. I believe in starting off with a fresh installation of an OS on a freshly-created and formatted NTFS partition.

If you convert a FAT32 partition that was created by another "FDISK" than the partitioning tool that comes with Windows XP (and all of your FAT32 partitions fall into this category) then using CONVERT to change the partition to NTFS will probably cause you to have 512 byte clusters. That is NOT good for performance.

There are LOTS of reasons you should consider doing clean installations on these PCs.

 

[everman]

You can convert fat 32 partitions in xp after the install. However I still think the best plan is to back up all data, format and do a clean install of xp. (you will need a win2k or 9x disk or full version of xp), and while you're at it you can install linux on a small partition too and gradually phase out windows

 

[CommanderHunt]

update... I installed XP Pro last night and everything works beautifully; I could never connect to our LAN and get files off the other comps in the house and they could never see me, now they can and i can access their comp's, BUT MY FUCKIN INTERNET EXPLORER DOESN"T WORK!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!? WHY!? Everytime I try accessing a webpage it says "This page cannot be displayed." I can access one website; TJS. That is all... HELP PLEASE!!!!!

btw this situation forced me to temorarily install MSN Explorer that came with XP

 

[prosaic]

Clean install or install-over?

 

[CommanderHunt]

Installed over Win2k Pro

 

[prosaic]

Ouch!

I hope someone will be able to help you. This is exactly the reason why I don't do install-overs. Every time I've seen this type of an issue with an NT4-to-Win2K or Win2K-to-WinXP upgrade installation I have been absolutely unable to resolve the problem. Most of the issues I've seen had to do with malfunctioning hardware following the upgrade, so I will hold out hope that someone who has more experience trying to resurrect upgraded systems will be able to help you. Who knows? It could be a simple issue. But the failure of such an integral portion of the OS to function properly doesn't bode well.

You should post some more information to help out the people here so they can help you. You need to specify what version of IE you had installed under Windows 2000, what Service Pack level the previous OS was at. Also, if you can tell us if any Browser Helper Objects (plugins and such) were installed with the browser under Windows 2000 that may have a bearing on their ability to help you. Finally, it may be extremely important for us to know what version of DirectX (and even WMP) was running under Windows 2000.

The problem with upgrading versions of Windows is that sometimes the patches applied to the previous version cause a problem with the OS upgrade, or even with application of Service Packs. This is especially true when the browser has been upgraded. I hope MS can get over this particular hump, for the sake of people who perform upgrade installs. Anyone who ran into the infamous Windows 2000 issue with application of Service Pack 2 following upgrade of IE from version 5 to version 5.5 with certain IE Service Packs applied can attest to just how difficult it can be to recover from this sort of issue.

I just don't have enough experience actually getting such things fixed to have a good feeling about this. I've never had these issues with my own systems because I just don't do upgrade installations -- except for some horrific testing I did once upon a time. But I've tried to help others fix such issues with their personal machines. The time required for saving such a time can easily exceed the amount of time required to perform a clean installation and just reinstall all software and restore all data. And I've always seen a result that just wasn't good enough to justify the effort.

I'm hoping that your situation will be an exception.

- prosaic

 

[CommanderHunt]

Thanks prosaic.

Details that prosaic suggested I list:
-What I had on Win2k Pro:
- IE 6 (i think i had SP1 as well)
- SP3 for Win2k Pro
- DirectX8.1
- WMP (7.something)

It is really weird this whole IE issue because I can connect to the internet with AIM and chat programs and MSN Explorer connects and works fine... And I have 3 PC's in the house all connected to a Linksys Rounter with Cable internet access and I can connect to the network fine and access files fine as well as print to the network printer fine.

 

[prosaic]

Yeah. It's weird. It's really great that all of your local networking functions are working well. I have hopes that this means that yours is going to be a simple fix. I guess you needed a browser, and it's good that MSN Explorer is working for you. But installing it may have muddied the waters here just a bit. I guess we'll see in time.

Here's what I think may have happened. I'm assuming that your Windows XP Pro version did NOT have SP1 integrated into it. (I'm not getting the SP1 for the OS and for IE6 mixed up here. I really meant what I typed. But that also would mean that you were installing IE6 with NO Internet Explorer service pack over the Internet Explorer SP1 which had resided in Windows 2000. I think you downgraded IE6 and broke something. This is just my best guess based on previous experience with install-over upgrades of previous versions of the MS NT-style operating systems.

Have you installed Windows XP Service Pack 1 yet? How about other upgrades? In lieu of suggestions from someone else who might have more direct knowledge of this particular type of situation, I'm going to suggest trying that route to see what happens. If that doesn't work, then you may need to try a repair of IE. There are instructions for it in the MSKB. If you get to the point of trying that and can't find them, just post back for help. I'll try to be helpful if I can.

But I'm hoping that someone else here has been through your exact experience and found a solution, and that this person(s) will step forward to offer some information. I'd prefer a known protocol for a resolution to my guesswork.

- prosaic

 

[CommanderHunt]

My WinXP Pro came with SP1. Also as soon as I installed it over Win2k Pro it asked me if I wanted to install SP1 for IE6, which I did.
that help any?

 

[prosaic]

Oh, rats! Well, there goes MY theory!

I hope this will help someone to help you. I'll try to do a little digging to see if I can come up with anything, but my original hope that this would be fixed by a simple repair of IE has dwindled just a bit.

I'll be back.

- prosaic

 

[CommanderHunt]

alright, Thanx alot man for sticking with me and trying to help. I honestly appreciate it.
(IE still doestn work )

 

[fishbob]

Now that everything is save and coverted do a massive save of those critical files, reformat the drive and do a clean install. It's just a temporary glitch. Most of your questions have been answered now. Good luck

 

[CommanderHunt]

I don't wanna reformat.