Problems installing Windows XP

[Lareux]

I tried to upgrade to XP (from 98) and the system died during the setup. I cancelled the update and decided to install XP instead.

I have a screen that shows the partitions on the computer. This particular computer isn't partitioned.

The options are to:
Setup XP on the partitioned item (the entire computer)
Create a partition in the unpartitioned space (there is none)
Delete the partition....

My only option is to use the partitioned item. The problem is that it contains another operatig system and could cause problems if I install it there.

How should I proceed????

 

[Old Rich]

If you are willing to loose the data on the drive, delete the existing partitions and then create the one (s) you want to use.

This is a good guide to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print it for reference during the install.

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

wrs

 

[Lareux]

Thanks for the instructions. I cancelled the install to start over and received an error message that the system could not find a device file. Either the SYSTEM.INI or the Windows registry refers to this file. I did not delete any files.

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VSHINIT.VXD

If I still want to use the application, reinstall the file. I don't know what it is or where it went.

Can you help???

 

[Old Rich]

That looks to be a McAfee file . . and may not be compatible with XP . . you can google it to see more about what to do.

It sounds like you are installing on top of Win98? . . that is very likely to result in a system that is not stable and error prone. A clean install will give you much better results . .

If you want to save your files and settings, you can use the XP Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) wizard to create an image of them and save to cd or other removable media. This is a good guide to using the FAST wizard. Just be sure you have an up-to-date antivirus before you re-instate them!

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

wrs

 

[Lareux]

Thanks

 

[Old Rich]

opps . . I added an afterthought that you might have missed.

wrs