Request for help in upgrading to XP from 2000

[Dave (imported)]

A bit of advice.

I mostly write short stories and a website. About every ten days, I write all those files to a CD and file it away. Now that's not the programs like Word, textwriter, Audacity, Firefox, or FETCH, or photoshop. It's just my writing and everything I need related to it.

IF I had to move to a new computer, I might have to reinstall WORD and the rest, but I wouldn't lose much of my writing (that's the important stuff)

Take all your translations and periodically write them to CD and set it aside. IF your computer fries itself or a meteor hits it and wipes it out, then you have your translations ready to go to another machine.

BTW - XP Professional is very good. I've never used Vista and I bought a Macintosh in orer NOT to use Vista.

[strassenbahn (imported)]

Again, thanks to everyone for the advice.

I would like to add an additional tip for anyone planning to go this route, namely be careful to get an upgrade that can handle 2000. My brother didn't check this out and got an upgrade to XP home, and lo and behold, it turned out that it couldn't handle an upgrade from 2000 (as indeed was explained in the accompanying booklet) so I was out a hundred bucks.

[strassenbahn (imported)]

Incidentally I discovered today -- too late -- that with a bit of Googling one can get to a Microsoft page that lists all the possible upgrades. 2000 PRO cannot be upgraded to XP home but CAN be upgraded to XP PRO. But my brother, who dealy loves me (and the feeling is mutual) but is a bit of a know-it-all when it comes to computers, got me the cheaper (and non functional) upgrade to XP home in order to save me money.

Oh well. Actually I'm comfortable with sticking with 2000, particularly since it appears that Microsoft does still offer patches that cover major security issues (though not more routine bugs).

[Paolo]

Routine bugs?

I've been using 2000 since it came out, and it has been the most rock-solid, dependable OS that they've EVER put out. It runs circles around XP and XP Pro.

It's a shame that it's eventually going to be useless for the Internet, but in my opinion, will always be just perfect for what "I" need it to do - word processing and Photoshop and overall storing and finding my files.

[strassenbahn (imported)]

Incidentally I discovered today -- too late -- that with a bit of Googling one can get to a Microsoft page that lists all the possible upgrades. 2000 PRO cannot be upgraded to XP home but CAN be upgraded to XP PRO. But my brother, who dealy loves me (and the feeling is mutual) but is a bit of a know-it-all when it comes to computers, got me the cheaper (and non functional) upgrade to XP home in order to save me money.

Oh well. Actually I'm comfortable with sticking with 2000, particularly since it appears that Microsoft does still offer patches that cover major security issues (though not more routine bugs).

I was so bummed out about not being able to complete the upgrade because my brother chose the wrong disk for me -- and the loss of internet access until fortunately by using my prior Acronis file I was able to restore 2000 and all my files -- that I just decided to stick with 2000. Finally I stopped sulking and bought the right disk (2000 Pro to XP Pro -- it's 2000 Pro to XP Home that doesn'twork). Everything seemed to go fine after I installed the disk, with the wizard doing its wizadry and the upgrade being completed as a fully functional system with all my files and programs intact BUT NO INTERNET CONNECTION, even though the disk was supposed to recognize the modem. I contacted Verizon trech support and the technician -- after examining things from a distance -- said that my computer doubtless lacked the drivers needed for XP, but these could be readily installed in a few minutes by a computer repair store, oor I could buy the driver disks and install myself. I elected to go the former route, and when I picked up the computer at the repair shop I was shown it had full Internet connectivity. But when I got it home neither the Interner light nor the light for the connection to the computer showed. When the verizon tech called backed as promised, he said that was no problem, my Verizon accound simply needed to be re-installed. He took control of the computer and did so in a few minutes. All's well that end's well (except for the money wasted on the initial wrong disk): I have XP, everything in terms of files and programs that I had under 2000 intact and full Internet connectivity. At this point I want TO PRAISE IN THE HIGHEST TERMS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VERIZON TECHNICAL SUPPORT. Not merely was the technician knowledgable and patient (and most importantly, got things right), but unlike previous visits to tech support there was not the problem of having to explain the problem all over again. After the initial call the technician promised to call back by four the next day (after I had visited the computer repair shop). In fact he called back at two, when the computer wasn't ready yet. I suggested he call back at seven that evning, but in fact he did so at four, when I had the computer, thus saving me three hours of that anxiety I feel when I am offline and don't know when and if I will get back on. Maybe it's the cold wind of competition blowing down Verison's neck, but my experience was far better than previous one on other matters in terms of listing to me describe my specific problem and not running through a standardized check list. Anyway I would like to close by THANKING ALL EA members who responded to my initial message offering advice.

[Dave (imported)]

I'm glad you are back online and happy.