So I have decided to upgrade to XP, but which one?

I would go for Pro, but no matter which one you decide to use, do yourself a big favor, and do a CLEAN install.

You can do a clean install with an upgrade cd if you have a previous version of Windows.

So I've heard. That's what everybody's been telling me and that's what I plan on doing. I just wasn't sure which one I should go for. I want to make sure before I go spending the money.

Thanks Koasati!

Really? How do I do that?

Sorry, don't mean to sound like an idiot. I just don't upgrade to a new OS everyday.

The difference between Home and Pro are laid out pretty clearly here:
http://microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp

Remote access, network connectivity, security and system restore. I use 3rd party solutions for security and system backup, so I kind of discount those. For most people, XP Home is a good choice. (koop couldn't live without Remote Desktop, but thats me!)

When you wipe your harddrive clean, boot with the update. In the setup it will ask for the previous disk. Insert it till it tells you to put the XP disk back in.

I just had to do that with somebody's computer yesterday. The Boot Volume was destroyed beyond repair. It sucked! Even the Recovery concole wouldn't repair it.

If you go with an upgrade, make sure you save your previous OS. I went with the full version this time because all my others were upgrades. Have both XP home and XP pro.

XP Pro. Get tho whole bang.

i got XP pro. works great for what i do

Get the pro version. It also includes ntbackup. I use the ASR wizard to backup my system drive and restore it if anything goes bad. It backsup everything on the system drive, documents, settings, music, etc. and it works.

Whew - I've been lucky, weaksid - I've never had a client's computer with boot volume problems that couldn't be fixed with a 'fixboot' from the recovery console.

Well, there was the one who had the HD that completely died - but that's different.

Pro without a doubt...

Thanks everybody! I'm goin pro! I think I am gonna go ahead and get the full version though instead of the upgrade. Thanks again yall!

that would have been the best to start with. A clean install of xp is the best way to go

BabyPooh: Why buy the "full" version when my understanding is that the upgrade version is the full version, it just requires that at some point during the install you just insert the win2k (or other previous upgradable to XP MS OS) disc? You can still do a clean install too with the upgrade version.

A problem would be if you don't have the Win2k disc to use during a clean install. Don't know about an OEM install, though, if that's what your Win2K is. But if there's not just a recovery disk, and there is a Win2K disc, that should work I would think. Perhaps someone else can clarify that.

You should also first download and run the compatibility tool at MS' XP site to see if there are any potential issues with your hardware and software with XP.

Can't users of Windows 2K Pro also get a rebate on Windows XP Pro? I don't remember exactly, but I think I saw awhile ago that Windows 2K Pro users can get a hundred dollars off or something.

you can get the OEM version of XP Pro for $140.00 US on the net...I had the link, but now I can't find it...will look around some more later. The only thing you get is the disk, but it's the full fledges XP Pro version. Works great

Why would you want XP Pro? If you are going to be doing net working or something, then I could see, but if all you do is surf the web then there's no point. I personally have XP Pro, but I don't need it. I could have saved some money and bought the home edition and it would have suited me just fine - You really have to ask yourself what are you going to be using XP for? There's no reason to buy something because it has lots of features and you're not going to take advantage of these features. Larry Kuperman provided us with a great link that shows the difference between the two. Have a look at it and decide for yourself. Good luck.

I tried loading XP and when it asked for a prior OS I showed it ME and it would take it. Maybe it was just my computer or maybe it was ME. Who knows.

I agree with Oil2003, I compared the two versions, I think they had a full comparison article on PCWorld.com, and decided
that I didn't need the extra features in the Pro version so I bought the home edition instead.
Also, if I had it to do over, I would buy the full version instead of the upgrade simply because it is a pain to first
reinstall ME and then upgrade it to XP.

I agree with JAM. I have both but the buy I got on XP PRO($50) I couldn't turn it down.

I wouldn't turn that deal down either, WOM...

Dang, WOM! Where did you get a deal like that? I wish I could find it for that much. I have been shopping around and the cheapest I have found XP Pro Full version is at NothingButSoftware.com for $219.95.

I have thought about the XP home, but I have had W2K for 2 years and have never had one problem out of it and they say that XP Pro is built from 2000 so that's what's pulling me toward pro.

About the upgrade...I don't have the W2k CD itself, all I have is what's on the gateway system restoration kit that came with my comp when I bought it. Will that work? If so, I'll for sure go with the upgrade version instead of the full version and save some money.

Okay, here I go again getting confused.

Thanks for yall's help