I have a Gateway laptop Windows Millenium ... Windows 2000
Professional. Can I upgrade it to Windows XP using SP2? If so,
how?....can I download Windows XP from Microsoft? Do I have to buy a
Windows XP Cd? I would like the logical steps without anything left
out, If the answer is "you cannot upgrade it." that of course is an
acceptable answer. thank you....
acceptable answer.
matter how simple it is and thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 16 Jan 2006 04:31 PST

In order to give you an acurate answer we need to know more details
about your computer (processor, RAM, etc.) can you give us such
information?

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Clarification of Question by fredg2004-ga on 16 Jan 2006 08:10 PST

For.... elitekillsdotcom, wisemoses and quinny.

thanks ... since elitekillsdotcom was the first to answer, albeit not
exactly answering my question e.g. "like tne logical steps", i have to
accept that as the answer....  "logical steps without anything left
out." should mean how to reinstall programs and possibly device
drivers, if needed but you are the first to answer and i accept it...
please post... thanks

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Clarification of Question by fredg2004-ga on 16 Jan 2006 16:29 PST

livioflores......are you a researcher? please let me know yes or
no...if you are please if you can just post something like eliteskills
did and thanks

elite...thank you......

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Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 16 Jan 2006 20:07 PST

Yes I am a researcher, but to give you an accurate answer I need to
know if your computer can run Windows XP, that is if it has enough RAM
memory and a compatible CPU, etc. So please can you give us a
description of your computer.

Thank you,
livioflores-ga

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Clarification of Question by fredg2004-ga on 17 Jan 2006 10:21 PST

livioflores...that is what i am asking you .....

i have 256 rams of memory. i have a gateway laptop.....just post as
your answer...this is getting out of hand.....thanks fgj

Hi!!

First thing you must do is to check if your computer fits the system requirements.
You need at least a 300MHz processor (I recommend you a 500MHz one),
your RAM is enough (minimum recommended is 128MB), you will need a
1.5GB of free space in your hard disk
You can use the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor, this is a tool that can be
downloaded from the link below (50MB). This tool checks your system
hardware and software to see if it is ready for upgrade to Windows XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx


If your hardware is OK and you accept to remove the questionable
software that the Advisor tells you to remove then your system is
ready for the upgrade.
Now you need to choose which version of XP (Home or Professional) is
the one you need, please take a look to the following page for a
better understanding of the difference between them:
"Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows XP Home Edition vs.
Professional Edition, What's the difference?:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp


Now yes, go and buy the Windows XP installation CD, with this in your
hands you can install Windows XP in two different ways:
- Installing over your Windows Me:
This will keep the compatible software installed and your data; but
this kind of installation could lead to future problems.
To do this take a look at the following page:
"Upgrading to Windows XP":
http://www.theeldergeek.com/upgrading_to_windows_xp.htm


I recommend a clean install, this type of installation has more
chances to be successful because you install Windows XP over a clean
disk or partition avoiding any hide and obscure compatibility issue.
To do a clean installation first of all save a backup of all your
sensible data stored in your computer:
"BACKUP important files to another hard disk (or a zip disk, CD-R,
etc.). Basic installation guideline for hard disks:
Backup the important program files (popular programs listed here) 
-Kazaa downloaded and pending downloads (go to Shared Folder of Kazaa,
copy the folder contents, this will also copy downloads that hasn't
been completed too!)
-Mp3s (your mp3 folder, or the My Music folder in My Documents folder) 
-Favorites (go to the Favorites folder of Internet Explorer and copy
the files, for Netscape, I believe there's a Save As feature in the
bookmark editing program. There's another way of saving Favorites in
IE, click on File, Import and Export and save the Favorites (and
cookies if you want) to the backup folder.)
-Internet Explorer Cookies (File > Import & Export > Cookies) 
-My Documents folder
-Game save games (usually saves are located in a special folder in the
game folder in the Program Files folder, copy those). Some are also
contained in your My Documents folder.
-Instant messengers contact lists. 
-Outlook Express messages. (Start OE, Tools > Options > Maintenance >
Store Folder. Copy and paste the link into the Explorer address bar
and backup those files)
-WebShots photos. (copy the contents of this folder, or go to the
Collections folder in the Webshots folder.
-Password files such as your website passwords, etc. 
-etc."
Summed up from "Installing Windows XP in DOS Over a Previous Windows
9x Installation":
http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/dosinstalling.html


Now follow the instructions (with graphs) at the following page for a
clean installation of Windows XP:
"Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Upgrading to Windows XP from
Windows 9x/Me":
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp


You can also find related info at the following pages:
"Installing Windows XP":
http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_install.htm

"Clean Install Procedure with Illustrative Screen Captures - XP Home":
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm

"Clean Install Procedure with Illustrative Screen Captures - XP Pro":
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm

"Formatting, Partitioning Hard Disks and Installing XP":
http://kadaitcha.cx/format.html


Search strategy:
installing xp
xp compatibility


I hope this helps you. Feel free to use the clarification feature if
you need further assistance or if you find something incomplete and/or
unclear before rate this answer.

Best regards,
livioflores-ga

thank you livio. a tip of 2.00 is enclosed...

You have to buy XP. Student discount works best if you have anyone in
the family going to a university.


From installing it, go to windows update page
(http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/) and download SP2.

Note that once you install XP many of your programs may not work at
all due to registry changes. You'll have to reinstall programs and
possibly device drivers.

You will have to go out and buy a copy of it, however it may be better
to buy not the "upgrade" but the full installation professional over
home preferred.  A fresh install rather then an upgrade would be
wiser.  Upgrading can lead to problems with older system files... This
is not always the case but has been with what i've seen.

You will have tp buy the XP software and upload it to your laptop.  XP
is expensive, and Microsoft is coming out with a new OS, so I would
wait to see how much that costs.

-Quinny61994

I recommend you give the computer specs to livio who can give you a
more accurate answer. We're not part of google answers staff, we just
comment to try and help people.

It's likely if you bought the computer as a package from Gateway they
gave you a package of cds that contain the drivers. If you didnt get
one you'd have to ask them for it. Everytime you replace the mother
board, video card or graphics card you usually get another cd that
automatically installs it. Although there may be generic drivers that
work for most monitors and mouse, there can easily be complications
for the video card.

As for programs, it's the same. Any programs like microsoft office,
encarta, photoshop, etc, may need reinstallation. For a list of
programs go to start->settings->control panel-> add and remove
programs. If any of them are something you value and cannot replace,
it is recommended you don't switch. Windows is also notorious for
installation complications so backup your data with a USB hard drive,
cd or similar.

Thank you so much for the good rating and tip.

Regards,
livioflores-ga