Installation loop

[Bill Fisher]

Just bought XP-Home to upgrade from awful ME. Installation
process loops between the "Welcome to XP" screen and the
enter product key screen. I only getr started entering the
product key and it fashes back to the "Welcome..." screen.
To get MS help I need the product ID; to get the Id it
must be installed; my problem is I can't get it installed!!
I'm going bonkers here. Thanks for any help. Bill F

[Nicholas]

Before upgrading any existing Windows installation, it would be prudent =
to
run the Upgrade Advisor for Windows XP. This tool will report what =
hardware
or software may be incompatible with Windows XP. If you follow the =
Upgrade
Advisor's recommendations, you should not have any problem upgrading to
Windows XP.

If you fail to utilize the Upgrade Advisor, you may run into =
incompatibility issues.
Just inserting the Windows XP Upgrade CD in the CD Drive and selecting
"upgrade" is not going to give you the desired result. You must =
"prepare and
plan" your computer before beginning the upgrade process.

Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=3Dkb;en-us;307726=20

It is imperative that you have the latest BIOS update installed. Visit =
the support
website of the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard for =
instructions
on updating your computer's BIOS.

Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

HOW TO: Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or=20
Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=3Dkb;EN-US;316639

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm


Also, physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware devices,
especially USB devices. Uninstall any antivirus program, too!

Most importantly, it would be prudent to perform a backup of
any data files you have, just in case a problem should occur.

Important: When you are ready to upgrade to Windows XP,
make sure to select the default "Upgrade" option
during the initial setup phase. Do not select the
alternative "New Installation" option!


--=20
Nicholas

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"Bill Fisher" > wrote in message:
...

| Just bought XP-Home to upgrade from awful ME. Installation=20
| process loops between the "Welcome to XP" screen and the=20
| enter product key screen. I only getr started entering the=20
| product key and it fashes back to the "Welcome..." screen.
| To get MS help I need the product ID; to get the Id it=20
| must be installed; my problem is I can't get it installed!!
| I'm going bonkers here. Thanks for any help. Bill F