Can WinXP Home full version OEM be used to upgrade?

[2336]

Folks, I just purchased an OEM copy of WinXP Home full version from Newegg for a friend in hopes of using it to upgrade his system. Can this be used to upgrade WinME without losing files and/or data, and how do I go about it? Every time I try to start it nothing is shown about upgrading, just loading WinXP. Am I doing something wrong or am I trying something that's not possible? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks.

Rick

 

[bacillus]

I could be wrong but that copy of xp cannot be used to upgrade.
you'll have to do a fresh install of xp.

 

[redbeard1]

Are you running the install from windows, or are you booting to the cd?

 

[2336]

I've tried both. If I try from within windows when I get to the setup page it only gives me the option of running a new installation and says that "existing files may be lost. If you are unsure of how to proceed, choose the Upgrade option (if available)", which isn't. If I boot from the CD on startup I get this: "You chose to install Windows XP on a partition that contains another operating system. Installing Windows XP on this partition might cause the other operating system to function improperly.

CAUTION: Installing multiple operating systems on a single partition is not recommended."

No where does it say anything about upgrading the current system. Did I screw up folks?

 

[redbeard1]

This site talks about a file that XP looks at when it is installing.

editing

 

[Trashman]

I'm with bacillus on this one, i'm almost postive you will not be able to upgrade, usin a full oem version.

 

[pdn]

I have a version of XP OEM also. It doesn't give me an option to upgrade. I think a fresh install is the better choice because you'll have less problems!

 

[2336]

I was afraid of that guys. Thanks for your help. I'd try to edit the setupp.ini files as outlined in the link that Redbeard1 provided but I'm just not confident enough in my capabilities - or luck! LOL!!! Thanks again.

Rick