Computer newbies forum: Changing OS from ME to XP

What kind of a copy? Store bought, made copy from someone, this makes a difference.

Thanks

Paul

Hello again, well if there is no CD burner in the PC, your options are extremely limited. I will only tell you what I "think" may be the best or only route for you to take.

First, you can buy a CD or DVD burner. I have seen them (CD burners) as cheap as 25.00. You could always throw one in for future use as well. DVD burners are a bit more but have also seen them as cheap as 40 bucks, depending on sales\rebates, etc...I got mine, combo CD\DVD +\-R for 49 bucks with rebate, runs great.
You can also take yours out and temporarily install it on your grandmother's pc to back up info.
Another way may be to use a USB storage device if you have one and she has working USB ports.
You may also bring your pc to her house, and network the two for file sharing in order to transfer the files to your pc.
You may also buy a hard drive which are also getting cheaper and put it in as a slave on the pc but without and OS and move all files to it.
You can get a usb external drive or buy a thumb drive or USB storage device to hold and transfer files.
You can also buy 250,000 floppys and take 6 months to copy all the info. (not a real good idea.)
These are the best ways I can see for you to acomplish your back up task. Even taking it to a local repair shop costs $$$ to get the info off. My highest recommendation is to buy a burner and some CDs or DVDs or both. DVD will hold 4.7 gigs and CDs typically 700 to 800 mb. Obviously DVD is better in respect to large storage.
Also,if you want to know how to back up favorites, read here as XP is far easier with the export tool but ME doesn't have this...

http://www.infopackets.com/channels/en/windows/gazette/2004/20040430_reorganize_backup_favorites_in_internet_explorer.htm


If you want to back up email settings and everything from outlook express, etc..

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4179.html


It works wonders. I just began using it and it even restores all my settings at the click of a button. If you would like a free backup program after all is said and done or even perhaps now, go to ,,,

http://www.comodogroup.com/products/free_products.html


The backup is free for life as is the firewall, anti-virus, spam stopper, so if you need some free programs to get you started with the new install I highly suggest getting these. They are free FULL versions and you register once and that's it. I use them so I know they are good and wouldn't suggest so if they weren't. They also have a friendly forum if you get stuck on a product and free tech support.

As far as backing up most other files , like picture files, etc...you would normally burn them as data to a disk, no special needs, typically drag n drop or select from a list. You can do this with files\folders\pictures, etc...

I hope this helps a little,

Paul

Paul, thanks so much for the link you gave me. I read over it and can follow it pretty well.

I know I need to copy her bookmarks, etc., however she doesn't have a cd burner on her computer but I do. Is there any way for me to do this for her? In this situation I am at a loss. I just don't understand how it would work.

Thanks again for the help.

That is IF they exist... With older Windows 98/ME machines, there may NOT be drivers for all devices. Make sure before upgrading.. XP will require updated drivers for all the hardware.. Video card, audio, ethernet, dial-up modem, motherboard, everything... You'll need to find and save all those drivers BEFORE installing XP.. After the computer is upgraded to XP, install the updated drivers..

Hope this helps.

Grif

If the computer is a brand name machine, you should be able to visit the manufacturer's website and download, then save the appropriate Windows XP drivers. If not a brand name or if there are no XP drivers for the computer, oon Windows ME, access the Device Manager display. (RIGHT click on "My Computer", choose "Properties", then click on the "Device Manager" tab.) Once there, find and write down the EXACT names of the various devices listed, primarily audio, video, ethernet, modems, etc. and write down the driver date and driver version numbers. You should then be able to visit the device manufacturer's website and download the updated drivers from there..

Unfortunately, you might find a situation where there are no updated device drivers for Windows XP.. There are some hardware types that were not compatible with XP but you'll need to check.

Hope this helps.

Grif

THERE IS NO NEED TO TYPE IN CAPS, THIS IS CONSIDERED RUDE AND YELLING. I for one, do NOT like upgrade versions and they are not for everyone or that's all anyone would buy. While I see your point about being cheaper like mentioned, it's not for everyone.

Paul

If this is an upgrade edition, you will have the option of saving the files upon installation. At least I did, when I upgraded my neice's PC from Me to XP.

Does she *really* need XP? What does she need to do using XP that she cannot do with ME? Sell the XP purchase and do not tempt fate by installing XP unless it's a ''must have'' for her work/play on her PC.

Perhaps it would be more utile to add an inexpensive DVD/CD R-W Drive.

You may be waiting a looong time for a stable version. The person in question may in fact be a grandma themselves by that time. If you have encountered little problems with ME, then you should also buy a lottery ticket with that kind of luck.
Vista may become many things from here on but waiting for it doesn't seem like a viable thing to do. It may be quite some time before it becomes or EVER becomes stable. I doubt the compaq will handle Vista very well anyway.


Paul

Thanks Paul. Yes, it is a "want to have", not a need.

Hi Gailforce, I recently changed from ME to XP Pro. ME crashed continually so I purchased XP Pro from Tiger Direct. First of all back up on CDs or DVDs all of your folders in My Documents,My Pictures and any other folders and files on your PC that you wish to keep. You do not have to save your programs onto a disk. You can install the programs after installing the XP OS. When installing the new XP OS make certain that you boot your PC from the CD disk. The easiest way to do this is to continually press the enter key when your PC is first turned on. You must boot up from the XP CD in order to properly format your hard drive when installing the new OS. Follow the instructions given by the XP CD and you will install the new OS easily. I have a scanner and a printer that are 5 years old and I downloaded the new drvers from HP and Visioneer with no problems. I am very happy with the XP OS and I am just an average Joe with computers. Hope this helps.
Frank

Move out the existing hard disk from your Compaq PC, buy a new one and connect it.

Then, install Xp as usual. After completed, insert back the old hard disk into the PC as slave. Then you can read back all the work your grandmother done.

I believe you don't need to download any drivers for Copmpaq as Xp default can handle it well. May be some....


brgds/ahoman

as I did state this already in my reply by putting another hard drive in as a method but not with two OSs. Not sure if either could handle having two OSs on the pc, may in fact be confusing for them.
Second, XP doesn't handle all drivers and there will be driver downloads needed.

Paul

Windows may in fact fill the driver gap and I don't deny that, however, many times the device in question will not work as it should, and the correct drivers will need to be placed. So I understand what you mean, but as stated in many cases windows drivers are a temporary until you can update\download the correct one.

Paul

Hi "Gail"-

If you're semi-PC literate (you don't give your own experience) it isn't a huge ordeal- just some details you'll need to keep track of...

First of all- you do NOT want to install XP on top of ME- I don't care what anyone else has to say on that. ME uses an older file system (FAT32) that is not what XP was meant to run on- & it also causes more "slack" or unusable space on the hard drive (& is less secure) than the default XP file system (NTFS).

If you know how to view files in My Computer, you can drag the data off to a thumb drive or CD, assuming she has a burner.

Getting to the address book & mail accounts is trickier- & depends on what she uses for her email...

The process is much better if you can have a geek there with you- the 1st time around. If you need a hand-holding, get me at adkmom*at*gmail.com & I'll help.