Jmd1259:

I would say you proably just should have spent the $70 dollars and got another version Pro. Because of product activation youll have a hard time putting the version you already own on the other computer. If it came with another dell computer its legally linked to that one and cannot be installed on the new one unless you can convince microsoft you took it off the old one. If you purchased it for yourself, when you go to activate it wont let you, first youll have to uninstall it off your old computer  and then call microsoft and convicne them that you took it off the old computer so theyll give you another code, which (from what i understand) is hard to to do. besides being  the dell versions are bios locked(moving it to another pc makes you activate it) you would have to do the same thing for that.  so the eaisest way might be to call your sales person back and spring for pro.

The XP Pro is an OEM that has not been previously registered.  Never been installed on a machine....

Jmd1259:

If you bought it oem and it didnt come with any computer you shouldnt have any problem, youll just have to activate it when you install it. On the other hand if it did youll have to talk to the manufacturer you phurchased it from to find out how the "rules" apply. Im not trying to be simple, its just it can complicated with microsofts product activation and new licesing setup, which can leave you with an expensive coaster.

But to answer your original question the best way to upgrade (in either case) is to reformat the hard drive and start with a clean installation.

 

jmd1259:

All you should have to do since your not changing hardware or anything is pop in the dell resource cd for drivers and utilitys and follow the instructions to reinstall everything.  though there is a good chance that xp will install all the drivers it needs saving you the trouble.  Though you will want to check for newer drivers.

good luck.

m.a.c

 

Great no problem with activating...

 

So  reformat the hard drive, install the new O/S.  Then I guess reload all the other fun stuff and drivers that came with it..

 

Thanks guys..

jmd1259,

You don't have to format before doing a clean install of XP, as it formats as a part of the installation procedure. See this. Once the operating system is installed you need to install your drivers, chipset drivers first. Instructions for this are here