Exactly how much of my present software installations / hardware settings
(incl. networing etc)
is preserved after a XP Home SP2 to XP Pro SP2 upgrade?
How about special security software (bank access etc etc) ?
Is it safer to create a "new installation" and reinstall all software ?

/Christer K

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" skrev:

> 1. Purchase a conventional "Retail Version" of Windows XP Professional.
> 2. Uninstall your antivirus program.
> 3. Perform a backup of your important documents and files to a CD.
> 4. Disconnect all hardware peripheral devices, except the monitor, keyboard and mouse.
> 5. While running Windows XP Home, insert the Windows XP Pro CD in the drive and select
> the default "Upgrade" setup option. [Do not select "New Installation"]
> 6. Visit the Windows Update site to download all the critical updates.
>
> Note if you already installed SP2:
>
> Unless SP2 is integrated into XP Pro, then one cannot
> upgrade an existing XP Home w/SP2 installation using
> a non-SP2 version of XP Pro. What you need to do is
> create a SP2 "slipstreamed" version of XP Pro, then use
> the new CD to upgrade over XP Home w/SP2.
>
> You have two options:
>
> 1. Uninstall SP2 from XP Home, then upgrade to XP Pro.
>
> or
>
> 2. Create a SP2 slipstreamed version of XP Pro (preferred)
> and use the new XP Pro w/SP2 to upgrade.
>
> Either one of the following utilities makes slipstreaming
> (integrating) SP2 into Windows XP a breeze:
>
> Windows Slipstreaming and Bootable CD Guide
> http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?act...showarticle=49
>
> Information on AutoStreamer 1.0
> http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.ph...st=0&#entry245
>
> Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows XP - Shell/User
>
> Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Joe Ferguson" wrote:
>
> | Is it possible to upgrade, or does it HAVE to be a
> | reinstall?
>

Christer K wrote:
> Exactly how much of my present software installations / hardware
> settings (incl. networing etc)
> is preserved after a XP Home SP2 to XP Pro SP2 upgrade?
> How about special security software (bank access etc etc) ?
> Is it safer to create a "new installation" and reinstall all software
>

Is it safer? Microsoft might not say it but a 'clean' install is preferred
for people who are a bit adept with computers. Some people, less confident,
are better served by upgrading, but a clean installation is, well, cleaner.
Excessive registry crud and the like aren't carried over to the new
installation etc. etc. So if you are not afraid of such a thing then do the
clean installation. If Start > Run means nothing to you then just do the
upgrade installation which should preserve the software, network, adware,
virus and spyware settings.

'Natch there are no guarantees and a backup of important docs and data is
always in order. Record the network settings of the current installation in
case you need them, gather all software product key numbers etc. etc. in
case you need them.

* You probably already have the WinXP with SP2 install disc but here goes:

If the installation disk is not up to Windows XP SP2 level, then obtain SP2
before installing [the full network version of SP can be downloaded from
microsoft.com and burned to CD-R .. you can also order at no cost [save
shipping] SP2 on disc]. Install Windows, then apply SP2 BEFORE ever
connecting to the Internet. SP2 has technologies that block a lot of the
exploits out there that WILL compromise a connected system left sitting. A
WinXP SP1 install can be compromised within minutes of being connected to
the Internet. Install SP2 BEFORE connecting to preclude all that.

One thing some people, who do not have a current WinXP disc with SP2 already
included, is to create a "slipstreamed" disc. This is a process where you
use WinXP or WinXP with SP1 disc and the full network SP2 downloaded file
to "slipstream" the SP2 update into the installation files and burn them to
a CD-R. With the created disc you can install Windows and SP2 will already
be installed.

Here's some links:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windo...p2-bootcd.html

Also there's utility [AutoStreamer] that's supposed to make the process
easier:

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=188337

Thanks !
Hate to spend a week reinstalling all programs ... but it might be the
"best" way to do it all things considered.
The problem is that I need the increased file security and an onboard IIS
for development purposes which XP Pro offers (right?).
/Christer K.

"Saucy Lemon" skrev:

> Christer K wrote:
> > Exactly how much of my present software installations / hardware
> > settings (incl. networing etc)
> > is preserved after a XP Home SP2 to XP Pro SP2 upgrade?
> > How about special security software (bank access etc etc) ?
> > Is it safer to create a "new installation" and reinstall all software
> >
>
> Is it safer? Microsoft might not say it but a 'clean' install is preferred
> for people who are a bit adept with computers. Some people, less confident,
> are better served by upgrading, but a clean installation is, well, cleaner.
> Excessive registry crud and the like aren't carried over to the new
> installation etc. etc. So if you are not afraid of such a thing then do the
> clean installation. If Start > Run means nothing to you then just do the
> upgrade installation which should preserve the software, network, adware,
> virus and spyware settings.
>
> 'Natch there are no guarantees and a backup of important docs and data is
> always in order. Record the network settings of the current installation in
> case you need them, gather all software product key numbers etc. etc. in
> case you need them.
>
> * You probably already have the WinXP with SP2 install disc but here goes:
>
> If the installation disk is not up to Windows XP SP2 level, then obtain SP2
> before installing [the full network version of SP can be downloaded from
> microsoft.com and burned to CD-R .. you can also order at no cost [save
> shipping] SP2 on disc]. Install Windows, then apply SP2 BEFORE ever
> connecting to the Internet. SP2 has technologies that block a lot of the
> exploits out there that WILL compromise a connected system left sitting. A
> WinXP SP1 install can be compromised within minutes of being connected to
> the Internet. Install SP2 BEFORE connecting to preclude all that.
>
> One thing some people, who do not have a current WinXP disc with SP2 already
> included, is to create a "slipstreamed" disc. This is a process where you
> use WinXP or WinXP with SP1 disc and the full network SP2 downloaded file
> to "slipstream" the SP2 update into the installation files and burn them to
> a CD-R. With the created disc you can install Windows and SP2 will already
> be installed.
>
> Here's some links:
>
> http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp
>
> http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windo...p2-bootcd.html
>
> Also there's utility [AutoStreamer] that's supposed to make the process
> easier:
>
> http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=188337
>
>
>
>

Christer K wrote:

> Exactly how much of my present software installations / hardware
> settings (incl. networing etc)
> is preserved after a XP Home SP2 to XP Pro SP2 upgrade?
> How about special security software (bank access etc etc) ?
> Is it safer to create a "new installation" and reinstall all software

Everything should be preserved. Usually upgrades go smoothly. But the
operative word is "usually". Always have your data backed up off the
hard drive and make notes of any important settings. Always have
reinstallation media for programs you use.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Christer K wrote:
> Thanks !
> Hate to spend a week reinstalling all programs ... but it might be the
> "best" way to do it all things considered.
> The problem is that I need the increased file security and an onboard
> IIS for development purposes which XP Pro offers (right?).
> /Christer K.
>

Yes, Windows XP Professional has IIS5. You have to manually add the IIS5
components through Add/Remove Programs. The installation does not install
IIS5 by default, but it is included on the CD-ROM for manual installation
later.

Using Services you can turn off the IIS and the website when you are not
using them. This reduces the attack vector against your PC. When you need
them, just renable and start them.

When running IIS, be sure to keep your computer's patching up-to-date.

Yes, if the harddrive partition(s) are formatted using the NTFS file system,
you can more granually control file and folder permissions.