Re: Can't upgrade to XP Pro

From: Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\) (user_at_#notme.com)
Date: 12/20/04


Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 12:22:13 -0800

First, if you are receiving error messages on your system including errors
during bootup it is always advisable to find the source of the problem
before moving to a new OS, upgrading or just moving from XP Home to Pro as
any such error might prevent halt setup and cause precisely the problem you
are having.

Second, most modern notebooks and laptops will appear seem slower than a
desktop, even desktops that have a slower processor. This is due to the
power management features. In order to conserve battery life, most
notebooks will run in a low or lower power mode than when they are connected
to AC and that is likely what you were experiencing. Such power options can
usually be turned off. If you wish to do so, open Control Panel and open
Power Options or open Display, go to the Screen Saver tab and click Power
under Monitor power. Then look for the notebook's power options and set
appropriately.

Unfortunately, we can't really solve the setup problem as it may well have
been caused by whatever was the source of the original error you mentioned
which might be a hardware issue.

As mentioned above, always try to find the source of such issues first.
NEVER, upgrade your system's OS to fix a problem, never update to do so
unless the update contains a specific fix for such a problem. Most such
problems if not directly caused by faulty hardware are caused by outdated or
corrupt hardware drivers or corrupt or outdated applications. They also
might be caused by spyware, malware or even a virus. None of those root
causes can be solved by upgrading the OS and as mentioned by Jupiter Jones
in this thread, XP Home and XP Pro are identical with the exception of some
features. The core OS for either is identical, XP Home is a subset of XP
Pro.

-- 
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"Dom1966" <Dom1966@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message 
news:58890A7A-BD92-457C-9F6E-AB34719DFC4D@microsoft.com...
>I bought a new Dell P4 2.8G notebook six weeks ago.  I was mazed to 
>discover
> it's slower than my old P3 1G Dell Dimension 4100.  Then it developed a 
> fault
> during boot up that looked like a hard drive problem.  This resulted in
> ocassional boot up problems which required a hard restatrt.
>
> I decided to upgrade from XP Home SP2 to XP Pro SP2 to see if it would
> resolve the speed issue.  I wasn't concerned about the faulty hard disk
> because I figured I would have to get it replaced and I could have the old
> disk's contents mirrored.  Just in case, I saved the HD's files.
>
> I began installing XP pro and all looked fne until it got midway through
> "Installing Devices", at which pont the screen suddenly turned off.  XP 
> pro
> continued to install for another minute or so, then stopped.
>
> I'm not sure, but I think maybe it had finished installing devices and was
> waiting for me to hit okay or something.    But I couldn't because the 
> screen
> was off.  Or maybe it had just 'died'.
>
> I have retried installing it several times (the notebook gives me no 
> choice
> because each time I restart it, it continues to reinstall the devices) but 
> it
> does the exact same thing each time.
>
> I have tried F8/Safe Mode With Command Prompts, but after a few minutes of
> appearing to start up in Safe Mode it finally tells me XP Pro can't.  I 
> have
> also tried just plain Safe Mode.  Same result.
>
> The upshot is that I can neither restore XP Home, halt the installation of
> XP Pro, or use Safe Mode.
>
> If necessary, I can try to reformat the disk and do a clean install, but I
> had hoped to avoid this.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> If not, how do I go about doing a clean install?  I haven't done this on 
> XP
> and don't know if it's the same as 98SE.
>
> Thanks. 


Relevant Pages

  • Cant upgrade to XP Pro
    ... I bought a new Dell P4 2.8G notebook six weeks ago. ... I began installing XP pro and all looked fne until it got midway through ... "Installing Devices", at which pont the screen suddenly turned off. ... appearing to start up in Safe Mode it finally tells me XP Pro can't. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.accessibility)
  • Re: Cant upgrade to XP Pro
    ... Since Windows XP Home and pro have identical stability and performance, ... upgrading from Home to Pro to fix problems is normally not a good idea. ... > "Installing Devices", at which pont the screen suddenly turned off. ... > appearing to start up in Safe Mode it finally tells me XP Pro can't. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.accessibility)
  • Re: Allergic to XP
    ... Hey AJR .. ... I have to press and hold down the power button for several seconds to ... Safe Mode - command mode - same results ... I then tried installing Win 2000, install was successful but when I tried ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Allergic to XP
    ... Interesting to say the least - can only help regarding the power on/off ... wired" as in previous power supplies- five volts is continuously provided to ... Safe Mode - command mode - same results ... I then tried installing Win 2000, install was successful but when I tried ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • stuck in Safe mode screen
    ... installed on shutdown and the power went off. ... computer shut off while the update was installing. ... It is showing the safe mode screen now, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)