Re: upgrading Me to XP Pro compatibitiy questions

Thanks...I think I have it...

"R. McCarty" wrote:

BIOS is the equivalent of a Starter motor for an auto. When you
power on, the BIOS ( CMOS ) is what gets the PC started. It
controls the hardware and after a Self-test hands off control to
the Operating System you have installed. Flashing involves running
a utility to update the code inside the chip. It provides fixes or
updates to the previous code to fix problems or improve the PC's
performance.

Acronis True Imaging is a program that you run that takes a full
disk and creates a exact/compressed copy it. This output (.tib)
can be used to fully restore a PC to it's state when the image is
taken. A very useful tool to protect both your data and the PC
state ( XP & Programs ). Imaging has one downfall, if you use
it and do not have your personal data separated the recovery
will result in loss of personal data back to the date the image was
created. ( Complicated topic ). Images should always be burned
to Optical media and stored off the computer. Hard Drives have
no "permanency" to them, they can and do fail.

Unless your current system doesn't meet your requirements you
should upgrade it. However, I would take some measure to get
the current system either Imaged or backed up before upgrading.

Most small Computer Shops will perform this type of work for
you. If they do not ask if your data is backed up - find another
shop to deal with. AVOID, as Malke says the "Big Store USA"
type of Computer Service centers.

"bobkeeler41" <bobkeeler41@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1084C66F-20BB-4FFD-9B80-824807AB2385@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you...
Unfortunately I am marginally computer literate...how do I update BIOS
flash
code?

I have CA (Computer Associates?) security suite and suspect that will
handle
AdAware/Spybot step and think I have found Chkdsk function.

On Imaging...Acronis you went over my head...what is it..?

My real options are buy/upgrade hardware to HP 5150 or Dell Precision 390
with XP Pro and Office 2003 installed and then try to transfer my files,
settings and links at $1400-1600 or upgade current HP Pav software at
$800.
The loss of support on Me caused the loss of HP Pav's CD writer (System
can
not find the drive).

Both options are a nightmare for near novice computer type and if
upgrading
fails costing far more, $2000+ plus cost of having some one come in a
recover
may data.

Comments?

"R. McCarty" wrote:

Run the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor. It will note applications
or hardware that might present issues to XP. HP Pavilions have
a track record of incompatible ACPI compliant BIOS. It may be
advisable to update the BIOS flash code before upgrading. Most
times an upgrade will be fine as long as you prep the machine. I
would run AdAware/Spybot and a Chkdsk before starting. As a
precaution, I'd use an Imaging program such as Acronis True Image
to make your current setup 100% protected. If the upgrade falls
down you can recover the Image and proceed from there.

MS XP Upgrade Advisor page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx

"bobkeeler41" <bobkeeler41@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6A3585C8-95A3-47F3-A25C-C5C0A337BD35@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Have HP Pav 7920 sold as XP ready.
Unit came with Me, I installed Office 2000 (Word, Excel, Outlook,
Access,
Powerpoint), Acrobat 5.0, Calyx Point, and various credit and mortgage
lender
interfaces. Removed McAfee and later Norton in favor of CA seecurity
programs.

ME support terminiated.

Want to upgrade to XP Pro and preserve existing data bases in Point and
Access plus files in My Doc etc.

Question #1. Can I upgrade from Me to XP Pro with detroying my files?

Question # 2. Will Office 2000 work on XP Pro or do I have to upgrade
to
Office 2003 Pro?

Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions,
bobkeeler41@xxxxxxxxxxxxx






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