Need Help with Windows XP Installation

vanity ^ | self

[Black Cat]

My copy of Win XP arrived today but when I tried to upgrade from ME, I got a fatal error message -- 3E6h, if anyone knows what that means. When I called MS tech support, I was told there would be a very long wait for assistance so I thought I'd see if anyone here could help...

Here's the situation -- since I can't upgrade, I thought I'd just do a clean install, so I clicked on that option but when I got to the partition screen, I clicked to install XP on C: drive (which is where ME is installed) and got a warning screen about having multiple OSs on one partition. I assumed that XP would just replace ME, but it seems that may not be the case.

I sure don't want to end up with a computer that doesn't work at all, so what should I do? Just go ahead and install XP over the top of the current installation on the current partition or something else.

Thanks in advance and nice to have someplace to go for help other than MS... :)

[Black Cat]

All advice greatly appreciated!

[big'ol_freeper]

Only one real solution to Windoze problems. Buy a Mac!!

[SolitaryMan]

I installed in the same partition and folder as WINme and works fine (over wrote WINme). Just have to go back and install of my apps and such again. Better installation choice than upgrading the previous version too.

[AppyPappy]

To replace, you may want to format the drive to remove the old OS.

[jbstrick]

FORMAT C:

XP should be installed on a clean drive. I had trouble with the upgrade myself. After a format, the installation went without any trouble.

XP runs like a champ. I love the ability to switch profiles without having to log the other users off.

[SolitaryMan]

Or maybe Lindows?

[detsaoT]

http://www.freebsd.org/

This will cure your problems.

;) ttt

[epluribus_2]

3E6h is a secret codeword to activate dormant sleeper cell agents of the feared radical Amish Extremist Front. Please do not retransmit this number...

[PokeyJoe]

goto bootdisk.com.

download zap.exe and copy to your winME startup disk in the a: drive.

boot to your winME startup disk.

zap 0 (will zap first hard drive).

put XP in CD. take out WinME startup.

reboot computer.

install XP.

use CID code provided by MS Software Nazi group to activate your copy of XP for two years, when you'll be required to enter into a long term contract with MS to continue using XP, and get new updates to XP.

goto store. get linux.

boot winME startup disk.

zap 0 again.

Install Linux on your computer, your friends computer, your mother's computer, your uncles computer, your neighbors computer, and enjoy.

Call XP Nazi's and tell them to lick the southbound end of a northbound donkey.

[fatrat]

have you looked for a readme file on the cd. there is probably one there that tells you how to install xp.

[toupsie]

You got that right! One of the most annoying things on Free Republic are "My Windows is Broken, HELP!" or "Warning: New Windows Virus Alert" posts. I don't think I have ever seen a Mac User posting, "OH MY GOD! New Mac Virus Alert!!!". Its even better when Freepers say, "Macs Suck" in the same forum discussing another problem someone is having with Windows.

But then again, you get what you pay for with Windows and Intel. That extra $100 to get a decent Mac pays off in the long run, heck even the short run. You never end up looking foolish asking a PC question on a Political Web Site.

[The Chid]

If you dont want to reformat, and you put XP into the same windows directory under the circumstances you describe, ME will be over-written completely. I tried this on one of my Win2k boxes, and it worked fine. All of the old programs needed to be reinstalled, so it completely overwrote the registry in my case. All of my old data (even on the old desktop) was still available to me.

[TemplarAkolyte]

Had no problems upgrading 98 to XP. Are we sure there was no user error? :)

As for OS X, Apple hasn't made a real innovation in it OS since it began copying Xerox. Now they copy Unix and pretty up XWindows. You wonder why their stock is such a roller coaster ride. Give me a scroll mouse or give me death.

[EternalHope]

Thanks (and LOL).

[July 4th]

Only one real solution to Windoze problems. Buy a Mac!!

Sure, but then you have Mac problems...and some would argue those are just as bad.

The more I hear about XP, the more I'm scared. You only get to install it once, and then you have to call them for a new code if you want to install it again? I'm sorry...I thought that when I purchased a piece of software, I got an end-user license.

I reformat my hard drive every 6 months. What kind of hassle is this going to be now? I'm staying with Win2k as long as possible. If MS doesn't clear up these issues with XP, I'm going Linux. Hopefully, as many others defect and Linux becomes easier to install for the masses, it will become a real alternative to Windows.

Of course, there's always the possibility that someone will hack XP to remove some of its, um, "difficulties." Not that I would condone that...but it would certainly be welcome if the XP engineers don't get around to it.

[The Chid]

That extra $100 to get a decent Mac pays off in the long run...

It looks like you left a zero off of that price difference...

[toupsie]

You wonder why their stock is such a roller coaster ride.

Because every quarter some super-genius wall street fat cat says Apple is dead and they have no future (this has been going on for 10 years). Then at the end of the quarter, Apple ends up being the only computer manufacturer that posts a profit. So when the fat cat says Apple will go bust, the stock goes down. Then at the end of the quarter, Apple posts a mucho profit while Compaq, HP, DELL and Gateway are sucking eggs and the Apple stock goes up. You can always bet on that happening and make a little extra coin from it.

[dennisw]

Wipe c drive clean. With fdisk

[Poohbah]

You must sacrifice an unblemished year-old calf on an altar in front of your computer, invoking the blessings of the deities Gates and Ballmer upon your installation effort.

[Black Cat]

I'm sorry to bother you with this, Toupsie, but as I said, when I called MS tech support, they said there would be a 60+ minute wait for assistance and I didn't want to listen to elevator music for an hour and pay long distance for the privilege. I'd read the earlier thread about XP on here and it was obvious there were people on here who knew a lot more about computers than me so I thought I'd pick their brains. I really don't make a habit of vanity posts, but wanted to take a shot at this one and got some good advice as a result.