Can I install Windows from an upgrade cd?

kejm31

I totally erased my hardrive and need to reinstall Windows xp. I only have, apparently, the upgrade cd because it doesn't work. Do I need to install - say Windows 95, then upgrade?

BLuKnight

If I remember correctly, Windows XP only upgrades from Windows 98 and higher. You don't need to install Windows 98 first. Just pop in the XP CD, during the install process, it'll ask for the Windows 98/ME CD to validate that it's upgrading from a valid product.

kejm31

Thank you for replying. Since there is no operating system currently installed on this computer, I don't get that message. It was wiped clean. I thought I could just install the Windows xp disc, but it just says it cannot locate a previous version of Windows (which makes sense, since there is nothing on the hardrive.) As much as I don't want to, I guess I will have to breakdown and buy the recoverdy cd from hp. Thank you again.

Qeldroma

kejm31,

Microsoft thought of that. People sometimes have irreparable file damage or failed hard drives and basically need to do a complete reinstall- but from an Upgrade CD. So MS will allow you to reinstall from an Upgrade disk IF you have your previous OS installation disk. As Bluknight said- it has to be Win98 or later. If you need to, you can borrow a friends.

At some point during the installation it will say that a previous version of Windows is not found- OK. You should just continue. It should then prompt you for the previous OS installation CD. It's simply a matter of swapping CDs until the install program verifies your disk. Once you do that- swap it back and it should follow normal installation.

As a footnote- a good rule is to always hang on to your last previous version of whatever program for this very reason (another one is upgrade rebates ).

kejm31

Ah yes, the "if only".......Thank you for your response. I will try tracking down a 98 disc and follow what you told me. Good advice. Thanks!