Dixonian69 wrote:

> maybe they only have an upgrade cd. op doesn't say.


Upgrade CDs do clean installations just fine.

The requirement to use an upgrade version is to *own* a previous qualifying
version's installation CD (with an OEM restore CD, see below), not to have
it installed. When setup doesn't find a previous qualifying version
installed, it will prompt you to insert its CD as proof of ownership. Just
insert the previous version's CD, and follow the prompts. Everything
proceeds quite normally and quite legitimately.

You can also do a clean installation if you have an OEM restore CD of a
previous qualifying version. It's more complicated, but it *can* be done.
First restore from the Restore CD. Then run the XP upgrade CD from within
that restored system, and change from Upgrade to New Install. When it asks
where, press Esc to delete the partition and start over.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


> "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE" wrote:
>
>> "Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> newsDF54B53-F735-40C3-AE23-3F83DADA4F9E@microsoft.com
>>> Carey. clean install is a bit excessive!!!
>>
>> Not for an inherited machine. Get the garbage off!
>>
>> --
>> Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
>> Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
>> http://www.fjsmjs.com
>> Protect your PC
>> http://www.microsoft.com./athome/sec...t/default.aspx
>> http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/