upgrading to XP

Question

I have a 8100 Inspiron using ME.  Shortly after I bought the p.c.  I purchased the XP upgrade from Dell or Microsoft.  It is an uograde package.  I wanted to format my drive (20 gig, no partitions) before the install of XP. My question is do I have to reinstall ME on the clean drive before using the upgrade disc?  Also there are instructions in the package for flashing the bios. I have never done anything to a p.c. before and am  wondering how complicated this is.  Thank you for any help  Granny Sue

jackshack · Answer

No, you do not need to install ME.  You do need to have the ME installation disk available.  At some point the Win XP upgrade disk will ask you for your qualifying operating system disk.  You will put the ME CD into the drive and the Win XP installation should continue.  Never having done this before I don't know if you will be asked when the installation first begins or will wait a while.  Instructions about when to put the ME CD in the drive and when to take it out and put the Win XP disk back in should show up on your screen.   Good luck!

Flooby · Answer

Go here and download 'Floppy I81-A15.EXE.'  Save the file to your desktop, and insert a formatted floppy diskette.  Double click the downloaded I81-A15.EXE file to write the flash to the diskette.  Leave the diskette in the drive, make sure you have a charged battery in place (along with the AC adapter), and restart the system with the diskette in the drive.  Follow the prompts to flash the BIOS, remove the diskette when completed, and restart the system.  That's all there is to it. Note that if you have an NVidia display adapter on your system and update the BIOS to A15, you'll also need a new video driver, at least until you get XP on there.  See the instructions at the above linked site.  The updated video drivers (if necessary) are located here.  Note too that you should update the BIOS prior to installing Windows XP.

Denny Denham · Answer

GrannySue,

You do not need to format the hard drive before installing XP. Formatting is done as a part of the installation process. Further, if ME is installed when you begin the clean install with the upgrade CD you will not be prompted to insert the ME CD, as the XP installation program will recognize ME and proceed. In the event you need them, instructions for the installation are here and in the included links.

GrannySue · Answer

Thanks to all of you for the info.  One more question please.  I use a keyboard and mouse which is for ME and XP.  Do I need to take them off before the upgrade or uninstall them? Thanks  Granny

Denny Denham · Answer

GrannySue, You can leave mouse, monitor, and keyboard connected during the installation.

GrannySue · Answer

Denny.  This Inspiron is a notebook on which I have installed a cordless mouse and keyboard (if I should want to use one).  This is what I was refering to.  I can use the touchpad, keypad or the other.  I really hadn't wondered about the monitor since this notebook has a dissplay made into it and that is what I use. Thanks  anyway   GrannySue

GrannySue · Answer

Denny.  This Inspiron is a notebook on which I have installed a cordless mouse and keyboard (if I should want to use one).  This is what I was refering to.  I can use the touchpad, keypad or the other.  I really hadn't wondered about the monitor since this notebook has a dissplay made into it and that is what I use. Thanks  anyway   GrannySue

Denny Denham · Answer

GrannySue,

You will have to check to see if there are XP drivers for the cordless mouse and keyboard. Neither of them will work during the installation of XP as there will be no drivers for them during that process.

GrannySue · Answer

Well I pulled out my upgrade package today.  Had drivers and utilities disk , disk  for dvd upgrade, disk for cd writer upgrade ,aol upgrade but no XP installation disk!!!!  so I spent about 3 hours holding the phone while connected to Dell and was cut off before anything was settled.   So I know what I'll be doing Monday.  I do have drivers for cordless keyboard and mouse Thanks again for your help    GrannySue

GrannySue · Answer

Well I pulled out my upgrade package today.  Had drivers and utilities disc, Dvd for XP, software for cd writer upgrade ,aol upgrade but no XP installation disc!!!!  so I spent about 3 hours holding the phone while connected to Dell and was cut off before anything was settled.   So I know what I'll be doing Monday.  Thanks again for your help    GrannySue

Denny Denham · Answer

Persevere--and Happy New Year.

the badger · Answer

Hi Denny,

I want to do the same thing. I have the Dell upgrade disc from ME to XP...but they never gave me a product code. Will I need one? A friend told me that it shouldnt be necessary as would be recognized automatically.

Thanks,

The Badger

Windows General

upgrading to XP

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