Glad XP uninstall works.... (1 Viewer)

[Stephen Orr]

You cannot truly appreciate the compatibility warnings Windows gives you until you actually install XP and find out what will absolutely will and will not work!
I have a 466id eMachine
Monday was a great adventure for me, as I installed the XP home upgrade over ME. I ran the compatibility software that came with XP, and for the most part I was okay. I have an older BIOS, but it did not seem to be a problem at all (and a quick check with eMachine tech support indicated that no problems had been reported). However, it didn't give me any real indication that my USB modem and my compact flash card reader drivers were not gonna work -- not to mention that my brand new Maxtor 40GB hard drive disappeared!
As I was attempting to "install new hardware", I kept getting a prompt for drivers for a "parallel device". Was this my hard drive, and has anyone else run into this? (My biggest concern right now)
My modem, it turns out, is an older Boca Research product, a TelePort 56k USB fax/modem originally built for Mac. I got it free after rebate as an OEM deal. I could not find any updated drivers for it, so I'm buying a new modem, a SupraExpress USB 56k that has Windows 2000 drivers.
On the plus side, XP recognized and accepted close to 95 percent of my loaded software. I've already purchased and installed Systemworks 2002, and am waiting on the XP update for Easy CD Creator 5. I did find a Windows 2000 driver for my card reader, and still need updated drivers for my printer, an HP 722c (old, but extremely reliable!)
I already installed the Windows 2000 driver for my card reader, and it seems to work.
However, I did revert back to ME until I can resolve the USB modem issue, which will hopefully be by Monday. The XP uninstall went pretty quickly, about 1/4 the time it took to install it.
Anybody else have some interesting adventures in XP Land!

 

[Camp]

Any possibility you can get rid of the XP upgrade and get the full version? A clean install is highly preferred.

 

[Stephen Orr]

I am considering it. Actually, it seems that the upgrade gives you that option... You can choose either to upgrade and keep older settings, etc. , or install on a new computer. (I'm pretty sure you still have to start with an older Windows version.

 

[Jeff Kleist]

The parallel device was probably either your printer or Zip drive.
Jeff Kleist

 

[Stephen Orr]

Don't have a Zip drive, and it had already asked for my printer software separately....

 

[Todd Hochard]

You can choose either to upgrade and keep older settings, etc. , or install on a new computer. (I'm pretty sure you still have to start with an older Windows version.

You can do a completely clean install with the XP upgrade disc. I booted my computer to DOS, using the WinME startup floppy, formatted the C: drive, and rebooted with the XP CD in the drive. It will then ask for proof of a previous version- I showed it the ME upgrade (for 98 users) disc, and it was happy.
XP installed flawlessly, but so far, one of my programs from '97 (Paperport) doesn't work quite right (the form typer add-on). I did have to go to ATI's website to get updated Rage 128 drivers for OpenGL support. I also grabbed a few updates from Microsoft's site (SB Live! update).
So far, so good. In fact, my best Windows install experience ever.
Todd

 

[Jacob_St]

I'm assuming if you don't have a WinMe start up floppy you can't do a clean install? I only have a WinME reinstallation disc but no start up floppy.

 

[Matt DeVillier]

Jacob,
you can make a WinME boot disk by going to start->settings->control panel, opening the 'add/remove programs' panel, and clicking on the 'startup disk' tab at the top
-Matt
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My DVD collection
DVD Cover Art

 

[Jacob_St]

Thanks Matt!

 

[Mike Lang]

Roxio's XP updates are out... http://www.roxio.com/en/support/ecdc...LT15T33IAVR3KQ
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