What is the difference between upgrading to XP and buying the full version?

[Edith]

Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
important...$$$ is an issue!

Thanks,

Edith :)

[Ian Clark]

"Edith" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
> We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
> upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
> version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
> important...$$$ is an issue!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Edith :)

The upgrade normally requires you to insert your previous Windows disc for
verification at some point during install
The full disc doesn't.

I think this is it. I have the full so not sure.

[Luiz Fernando Mendonca]

the diference is that upgrading makes the system unstable and makes things
stop working, its better to keep using crappy old ME than to upgrade.
Having the full version, however...
You do this:
Backup all your stuff.
Insert the winXP cd
Allow it to format the hard drive and install WinXP

This will make your PC run faster and a LOT more stable, and you will be
running the best windows version yet. (btw, you are currently running the
worst one, winME)

Good luck =D

"Edith" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
> We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
> upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
> version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
> important...$$$ is an issue!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Edith :)

[Walter Clayton]

If you have issues with Me, then XP is going to be a nightmare.

Regardless, upgrade first. You can also blow things away and clean install
later. But, I'd suggest you solve the current issues first regardless of
which way you go.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp


"Edith" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
> We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
> upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
> version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
> important...$$$ is an issue!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Edith :)

[Don Burnette]

I agree it is better to take the time and do a clean install, however you do
not necessarily need the full version, the upgrade version will do this just
fine as long as she has a previous windows retail , like ME or win9X, to
insert as qualifying media during the install when prompted.
There are no differences in what is installed in the full version versus the
upgrade version. The only difference at all is you have to have proof of
owning a qualifying previous OS, hence the reason for needing the cd.

--
Don Burnette

remove clothes when replying via email

Luiz Fernando Mendonca wrote:
> the diference is that upgrading makes the system unstable and makes
> things stop working, its better to keep using crappy old ME than to
> upgrade. Having the full version, however...
> You do this:
> Backup all your stuff.
> Insert the winXP cd
> Allow it to format the hard drive and install WinXP
>
> This will make your PC run faster and a LOT more stable, and you will
> be running the best windows version yet. (btw, you are currently
> running the worst one, winME)
>
> Good luck =D
>
> "Edith" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
>> We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
>> upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
>> version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
>> important...$$$ is an issue!
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Edith :)

[Ken Blake]

In , Edith wrote:

> Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
> We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
> upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
> version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
> important...$$$ is an issue!


You are right. Your husband is wrong. Buying the full version
when you qualify for the upgrade is a waste of money.

His point is probably that he thinks it's better to do a clean
installation than an upgrade. Whether that's right is arguable,
but what's not arguable is this: despite when many people
(including your husband) apparently think, you *can* do a clean
installation with an upgrade CD. The requirement to use an
upgrade is to *own* a previous qualifying version, not to have it
installed; when upgrade setup doesn't find it installed it will
prompt you to insert its CD as proof of ownership.

In all other respects, the upgrade and full versions are
identical.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Ron Martell]

"Edith" > wrote:

>Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
>We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
>upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
>version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
>important...$$$ is an issue!
>

There will be exactly zero difference between the installed results for
the retail full install version compared to the retail upgrade version
(OEM versions have some differences, but mainly in the licensing details).

The only reason for purchasing a full install version of Windows XP would
be if you did not have a previous version of Windows that qualifies for
the upgrade. If you have a previous version, and you do with your Windows
Me, there is no reason to purchase the retail full install version.

You can do either an upgrade install or a clean install with the upgrade
version. My suggestion is the same as Walter's - try an upgrade install
from your Windows Me and then if that proves to be problematic you can
always wipe it out and do a clean install.

Before you start you should read MVP Gary Woodruff's article on upgrading
to Windows XP at http://www.aumha.org/a/xpupgrad.htm

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

[Microbes@Work]

The only difference is $$.

If you still have the ME CD, buy the upgrade version. An upgrade version
will allow you to do either a full install OR an in-place upgrade.

If you have lost your ME CD, you have no choice but to pay the extra $.

AC


On Wed, 7 May 2003 10:28:04 -0700, "Edith" > wrote:

>Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
>We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
>upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
>version. Does it make a difference which to use? This is
>important...$$$ is an issue!
>
>Thanks,
>
>Edith :)

[Alex Nichol]

Edith wrote:

>Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
>We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
>upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
>version. Does it make a difference which to use?

If you have a retail ME CD (rather than some OEM recovery or restore
one, save money and get an Upgrade version. You will be able to upgrade
the ME using it - which is the course to try first -, and can do a clean
install provided you have such a CD to show as evidence of entitlement.
And consult Gary Woodruff's page on upgrading,
www.aumha.org/a/xpupgrad.htm and for the differences between Home and
Pro http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

Only get Pro if you see something as 'Pro only' which you will really
need.



--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
Bournemouth, U.K.

[Tom Orle]

>Edith wrote:
>
>Hi, we are looking into XP, either Home or Professional.
>We have ME now...what a mistake. I think we only need to
>upgrade, but my husband says its better to buy the full
>version. Does it make a difference which to use?

The basic OS is the same - it's only how it's installed: A full
version doesn't look for a pre-existing Windows on the system while
and upgrade does and won't let you do the install if it can't find
one. But once it's installed - it's exacly the same.

-=tom=-