Uninstalling WinXP. Is it possible?

[Marco]

Trying to make a decision on whether or not upgrading from
Win Me. Is it possible to revert the XP installation back
to the previous Me or that is just impossible? How safe
(or hazardous) it is to upgrade? I have a lot of Win 95
software and even some Win 3.1. Thanks for any possible
help. Marco

[Mike Kolitz]

Hi Marco.
During the upgrade process, I believe you've be asked if you want to save
enough information to be able to revert back to Windows ME. Say yes, and -
if you choose - you'll be able to uninstall Windows XP via the Add/Remove
Programs wizard in the Control Panel.

The upgrade is pretty painless, assuming that your hardware and software is
compatible. The Windows XP Setup program does a pretty good job of checking
that before you actually start the upgrade. If it complains about some
software or hardware, listen to it. Do some research to see if there are
drivers or updates to anything it lists. If there are, make sure you can
get them. If not, decide whether or not the incompatible soft/hardware is
important enough to make you stop the upgrade.

You'll also want to back up any important data just to be on the safe side.

Good luck!

--
Mike Kolitz MCSE 2000
MS-MVP - Windows Setup and Deployment


"Marco" > wrote in message
...
> Trying to make a decision on whether or not upgrading from
> Win Me. Is it possible to revert the XP installation back
> to the previous Me or that is just impossible? How safe
> (or hazardous) it is to upgrade? I have a lot of Win 95
> software and even some Win 3.1. Thanks for any possible
> help. Marco

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Marco;
As long as you select the options for upgrade and stay FAT32 (do not
convert to NTFS)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=303661

Even when everything is done right, it is sometimes not possible.
You should plan for a move to Windows XP to be a one way trip.

Check this link, especially #3 Upgrade Advisor, to be sure the
computer is ready for Windows XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/default.asp

Check with your software manufacturers or other users to check on
Windows XP compatibility.
Most older software is compatible without any adjustments, some may
have to use Compatibility mode.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Marco" > wrote in message
...
> Trying to make a decision on whether or not upgrading from
> Win Me. Is it possible to revert the XP installation back
> to the previous Me or that is just impossible? How safe
> (or hazardous) it is to upgrade? I have a lot of Win 95
> software and even some Win 3.1. Thanks for any possible
> help. Marco

[Marco]

Morning Mike, greetings from Brazil
Thanks so much for your comprehensive answer and hel. I
will follow your hints and, if no unbearable compatibility
issue arises, I intend to install Win XP. Have a great
day. Thanks again. Marco

>-----Original Message-----
>Hi Marco.
>During the upgrade process, I believe you've be asked if
you want to save
>enough information to be able to revert back to Windows
ME. Say yes, and -
>if you choose - you'll be able to uninstall Windows XP
via the Add/Remove
>Programs wizard in the Control Panel.
>
>The upgrade is pretty painless, assuming that your
hardware and software is
>compatible. The Windows XP Setup program does a pretty
good job of checking
>that before you actually start the upgrade. If it
complains about some
>software or hardware, listen to it. Do some research to
see if there are
>drivers or updates to anything it lists. If there are,
make sure you can
>get them. If not, decide whether or not the incompatible
soft/hardware is
>important enough to make you stop the upgrade.
>
>You'll also want to back up any important data just to be
on the safe side.
>
>Good luck!
>
>--
>Mike Kolitz MCSE 2000
>MS-MVP - Windows Setup and Deployment
>
>
>"Marco" > wrote in message
...
>> Trying to make a decision on whether or not upgrading
from
>> Win Me. Is it possible to revert the XP installation
back
>> to the previous Me or that is just impossible? How safe
>> (or hazardous) it is to upgrade? I have a lot of Win 95
>> software and even some Win 3.1. Thanks for any possible
>> help. Marco
>
>
>.
>

[Marco]

Morning Jupter. Greetings from Brazil
Thanks for the hints. The link you suggested tells that
the setup procedures check my compatibility issues before
I actually proceed to install. I think that will allow me
to make decisions. Thanks again and have a great day. Marco


>-----Original Message-----
>Marco;
>As long as you select the options for upgrade and stay
FAT32 (do not
>convert to NTFS)
>http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=303661
>
>Even when everything is done right, it is sometimes not
possible.
>You should plan for a move to Windows XP to be a one way
trip.
>
>Check this link, especially #3 Upgrade Advisor, to be
sure the
>computer is ready for Windows XP:
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading
/default.asp
>
>Check with your software manufacturers or other users to
check on
>Windows XP compatibility.
>Most older software is compatible without any
adjustments, some may
>have to use Compatibility mode.
>
>--
>Jupiter Jones [MVP]
>An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/se
tup.asp
>Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.
>
>
>"Marco" > wrote in message
...
>> Trying to make a decision on whether or not upgrading
from
>> Win Me. Is it possible to revert the XP installation
back
>> to the previous Me or that is just impossible? How safe
>> (or hazardous) it is to upgrade? I have a lot of Win 95
>> software and even some Win 3.1. Thanks for any possible
>> help. Marco
>
>
>.
>

[Cerridwen]

Anton wrote:
> I have installed Win Xp Home Ed. on my computer. It is
> running very well. It took me 3 days to install everything
> the way I like it. I would like to know if it is possible
> to make a bootable working backup of everything installed
> onto a second hard drive for safekeeping. I have tried
> before but everytime the backup hard drive won't start
> even thou it is bootable.
> Any info would be appreciated.

You will need a 3rd-party imaging application. I use Drive Image 7 (you
would be well advised to stay away from Ghost). If when you say you "tried
before" you mean you simply copied everything over then, of course it's not
going to work. You need to image the drive and restore the image on to the
second drive.

Please be aware that, by having XP installed on two drives, you will be in
violation of the EULA.