windows xp upgrade vs. full intsall

[alpha_gamer]

anyone know if there are any differences between the windows xp upgrade and the full install? any performance issues? thanks for any comments, and please don't reply with "i want to know that too"!

[Malakai]

the only difference is that the upgrade edition will ask u to put in an lder version of windows for verification that u qualify for upgrade, but only if it doesnt find another microsoft OS already on the HDD.


almost everyone owns or can get a copy of an older windows. IMO its pointless to blow an extra 100$ on the full install version, when u can get win98 for 30$, and use it to qualify for the upgrade

[David]

Always go for the full install, as upgrading older windows versions is time consuming and often problematic. Start with a clean drive and a fresh OS.

David

[Malakai]

Originally posted by David
Always go for the full install, as upgrading older windows versions is time consuming and often problematic. Start with a clean drive and a fresh OS.

David

no no no, u can clean install with the upgrade edition.

during installation, if there was an older version of windows on the HDD, than just format and clean install.
if your installing XP on a clean HDD, than during install, the XP installer will ask u to put an older version of Windows in the CD drive to verify that u own it. thats it.


and i agree, always do a clean install, upgrades (not the upgrade edition, which is exactly the same as full) suck

[crucial]

yeah, when i got my XP Pro upgrade from Dull for my laptop i just popped an old 98 CD into the drive (wasn't detecting the Me install already there) and i got to have a nice clean install :)

[craigiz1]

It's true!

You can do a full install from the upgrade version. You just have to verify that you already own Windows with a Windows cd. Alway's do a clean, full install to help avoid problems.
Good luck.

[alpha_gamer]

i have already done a full install, i was just wondering if there was a quality difference, a guy told me there was but he doesn't speak that great english and he might have been talking about something else, it's hard to tell:eh?:

[Malakai]

Originally posted by alpha_gamer
i have already done a full install, i was just wondering if there was a quality difference, a guy told me there was but he doesn't speak that great english and he might have been talking about something else, it's hard to tell:eh?:

no, its the same data, same wondows, exact same files on the full and upgrade. the only diff is that upgrade version's installer checks for another version of windows.

[SpyderMatrix]

yes there is a performance difference because the upgrade still uses some of the older .cab files for driver installation and you cant take advantage of the newer drivers unless you do a windows update but then again you still have the old drivers if you have to reinstall and sometimes i becomes a pain to insert different CDs and also you shouldnt ever upgrade like that because it will see in the registry the old o/s and the new o/s and potentially cause so many errors in programs and you system will start to crash alot i know alot of customers that i deal with did this when they bought their original comps from places like dell and gateway and then they bought the upgrades to xp and all of a sudden they get errors out the butt from games and programs that ran fine before their upgrade so my advice just get a legal full copy and do a clean install from a virgin or made virgin again hard drive ok

[craigiz1]

Originally posted by SpyderMatrix
yes there is a performance difference because the upgrade still uses some of the older .cab files for driver installation and you cant take advantage of the newer drivers unless you do a windows update but then again you still have the old drivers if you have to reinstall and sometimes i becomes a pain to insert different CDs and also you shouldnt ever upgrade like that because it will see in the registry the old o/s and the new o/s and potentially cause so many errors in programs and you system will start to crash alot i know alot of customers that i deal with did this when they bought their original comps from places like dell and gateway and then they bought the upgrades to xp and all of a sudden they get errors out the butt from games and programs that ran fine before their upgrade so my advice just get a legal full copy and do a clean install from a virgin or made virgin again hard drive ok

Only if you choose to use the upgrade FEATURE. You have a choice.
You can do a full clean install and you will get all the benifits of it.
If you do the upgrade, it will set things the way you had it...even your problems. That is why I always suggest doing a full, clean install.
Buying the "UPGRADE" version saves you money because you already OWN a previuose Windows version. You WILL get the FULL version of XP! Paying the money is THE ONLY DIFFERENCE!!

[SpyderMatrix]

i dont think so i am a registered OEM System Builder through microsoft and all the tech people that i talk to on mirc and icq tell me the same thing i tell you. and if you look around you will find the full install for the same if not less places like newegg or ebay. What i boils down to is my opinion vs yours and im not going to get into an arguement.

[Bull]

Of course the upgrade version is going to be a little different but everything thats on the full version should be on the upgrade version too. Everytime I used an upgrade version I always reformat the hard drive and then the program asks for a verification of a previous version. I then stick in the old cd or floppy and it does it's check. It never takes files off of the older version. It installs from the upgrade cd. This makes me believe that the upgrade version is the full version just programed to check for a previous version. The best way to upgrade is to reformat then install. Whether you get the upgrade version or not they will still be the same. All craig is saying is you save money with the upgrade instead of buying the full version.

[SpyderMatrix]

you guys can believe what you want im not on here to fight or start a war with anyone anyway if you can save a buck or two then buy which ever is cheaper

[Malakai]

Originally posted by SpyderMatrix
yes there is a performance difference because the upgrade still uses some of the older .cab files for driver installation and you cant take advantage of the newer drivers unless you do a windows update but then again you still have the old drivers if you have to reinstall and sometimes i becomes a pain to insert different CDs and also you shouldnt ever upgrade like that because it will see in the registry the old o/s and the new o/s and potentially cause so many errors in programs and you system will start to crash alot i know alot of customers that i deal with did this when they bought their original comps from places like dell and gateway and then they bought the upgrades to xp and all of a sudden they get errors out the butt from games and programs that ran fine before their upgrade so my advice just get a legal full copy and do a clean install from a virgin or made virgin again hard drive ok


buy what u like, but every word of that post is PURE FICTION!!!
its not my opinion vs your opinion, its fact vs fiction. if u can get the full version cheaper, than go ahead by all means. but if u own an older version of windows and pay more for full version, your throwing away around 100$ more for absolutely nothing.

all the upgrade edition does is check to see if u have an older disk, and if u clean install over your old HDD, it detects the previous version and u dont need the old disk at all.

like i said, pay more if u like, but that .cab files and registry switchover in a clean install thing is TOTAL AND UTTER FICTION.

and to bull:
the upgrade version is not a little diffrerent, it only has that extra check in the installer. every file, byte for byte, is the same on upgrade as it is in the full. this is one of the biggest misconceptions in computing IMO

[looktall]

Originally posted by SpyderMatrix
yes there is a performance difference because the upgrade still uses some of the older .cab files for driver installation and you cant take advantage of the newer drivers unless you do a windows update...

so you're saying that a winxp upgrade cd contains the .cab files of every previous windows OS?

because if you're doing a clean install, there are no older .cab files to use, so they must be already on the xp cd. right?

:rolleyes:

what a load of crap.

BTW, if you want to save even more money, and you're a student, you can buy the academic version which is exactly the same a full retail version, except you pay less, by being a student.
in australia, an academic xp pro upgrade costs about AU$170-180.
which is roughly US$85-90. is that a good price over there? i have no idea how much a full retail version cost in the us. lol

[SpyderMatrix]

look once you become a system builder and have 4+ years of college and a degree you can argue with me or if you can find a bit of offical articles from microsoft then dont argue with me i have done the research ok thats all i am going to say please dont reply to this if you dont have any other proof that it does it ok

[craigiz1]

Originally posted by SpyderMatrix
look once you become a system builder and have 4+ years of college and a degree you can argue with me or if you can find a bit of offical articles from microsoft then dont argue with me i have done the research ok thats all i am going to say please dont reply to this if you dont have any other proof that it does it ok

:cry:

You say you have talked to people from Microsoft or others in a help type center and they told you what you have been saying. So did I when I had a problem when first installing XP and thats who told me what I've been telling you. And I can tell you, it didn't take me 4+ years and a degree to do research on this matter. I did research quite a bit plus having done all this myself, I know it's true. If your comfortable spending extra money for XP, when you don't need to, go right ahead.

[craigiz1]

A little more info from Microsoft's knowledge base...

1.5 Upgrading vs. Installing a New Copy
================================================== ====================

After you start the Windows XP Setup Wizard, one of the first decisions you have to make is whether to upgrade your current operating system or to perform an entirely new installation. During the setup process, you must choose between upgrading or installing a new copy of Windows (a "clean install").

During an upgrade, the Windows XP Setup Wizard replaces existing Windows files but preserves your existing settings and applications. Some applications might not be compatible with Windows XP Professional and therefore might not function properly after an upgrade. You can upgrade to Windows XP Professional from the following operating systems:

* Windows 98 (all versions)
* Windows Millennium Edition
* Windows NT 4.0 Workstation (Service Pack 6 and later)
* Windows 2000 Professional (including service packs)
* Windows XP Home Edition

If your computer is currently running an unsupported operating system, you must install a new copy. The wizard installs Windows XP Professional in a new folder. After the installation is complete, you will have to reinstall applications and reset your preferences.

[craigiz1]

And this... Please note that it states "Full Package Product" (FPP).

The site... http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?site=11052&subid=22&pg=8

An excert...

Microsoft® Windows XP Home Edition

Standard Pricing
The prices listed here are valid only in the United States. Reseller prices will vary.
Note: If Open License Standard pricing is available for this product, the pricing information will appear on the Volume Pricing page.

Full Package Product (FPP)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition English North America CD

Version: Non-specific
Part Number: N09-00048
Environment: Win NT
Media: CD
Estimated Price: 199.00
Notes:



Full Package Product Upgrade (FPP)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition English Upgrade North America CD

Version: Non-specific
Part Number: N09-00050
Environment: Win NT
Media: CD
Estimated Price: 99.00
Notes:



Microsoft License Pack Upgrade (MLP)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition English Upgrade Microsoft License Pack NA Only Additional License

Version: Non-specific
Part Number: N09-00478
Environment: Win NT
Media: Non-specific
Estimated Price: 89.00
Notes:



Upgrade Eligibility and Additional Information

US Est. Retail Price: $199.00 (standard) & $99 (upgrade)
Rebate: $0.00
Retail Part No. N09-00048 (English NA standard) & N09-00050 (English NA upgrade)
UPC:

Upgrade Eligibility

You are eligible to upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition if you are a licensed user of one of these products:
Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME
Visit the Worldwide Sites page for links to information on products available worldwide.
Learn about Microsoft Accessibility.
Information on exporting and returning U.S. products.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Updated 2 August 2002
© 2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.

[craigiz1]

Maybe you should think twice about paying too much when you don't need to.

Good luck. :p

[Malakai]

Originally posted by looktall_OCAU


so you're saying that a winxp upgrade cd contains the .cab files of every previous windows OS?

because if you're doing a clean install, there are no older .cab files to use, so they must be already on the xp cd. right?

:rolleyes:

what a load of crap.

BTW, if you want to save even more money, and you're a student, you can buy the academic version which is exactly the same a full retail version, except you pay less, by being a student.
in australia, an academic xp pro upgrade costs about AU$170-180.
which is roughly US$85-90. is that a good price over there? i have no idea how much a full retail version cost in the us. lol

winXP pro academic edition upgrade: 99$ here w00t!

and lets not get rude with SpyderMatrix, everyone makes mistakes.
even someone with a comp sci degree:rolleyes:

[SpyderMatrix]

thank you malaki i guess i get the oem system builder discount or something because it doesnt cost nearly that much for either of those for me and i have an open license for my products also anyway i was not trying to offend anyone just trying to make a point ok its up to the person buying to justify how much they spend just my opinion to get the full not the upgrade

[looktall]

Originally posted by Malakai


winXP pro academic edition upgrade: 99$ here w00t!


OMG!!
you mean there is actually a computer related item that is cheaper to buy in australia?!?!

that's amazing. :eek:

you'd think the fact that we're closer to the asia region (hell, we're almost in it :p ) would mean cheaper prices for us. but generally, things are cheaper in the us.

except for academic windows software. ;) :p

[ElroyCarbon]

I'd like to add just one comment. My bud mentioned he was on the phone for several hours with Microsoft Tech support due to problems regaurding his install. He eventually figured out with the tech supports help and went on his way. During his expensive phone call my bud said he asked if perhaps it was the upgrade causing these issues. The Microsoft cat told him that the upgrade and the full versions are Identical with exception to the liscense key search, hence the $100 discount. I didn't know what to make of it, but this guy has no interest or reason for that matter to make this up. So I doubt this sheds any light on this, but it does make sense. Also if there was a difference then wouldnt there have to be some sort of support for three OSs then? IE: XP Pro, XP Home and XP Pro upgrade? Just thinking LaTER!!!!!!!!!Sorry I didnt read all the posts through I see you guys already resolved this!

[Dr3w]

i have the upgrade version of xp, and i have always installed over an older OS, as i never knew u could just verify u had a copy.

when ive doent his in the past, ive put the cd in windows and wen the pop up appears i selected upgrade rather than full install (i guessed that was only if the copy WAS a FULL install)

anyway if i was doin this from a blank hardrive and the cd boots i guess i would choose full install- right?

thankyou

(i know this seems really stupid, but i always presumed i only had the upgrade option)

[Malakai]

Originally posted by Dr3w
i have the upgrade version of xp, and i have always installed over an older OS, as i never knew u could just verify u had a copy.

when ive doent his in the past, ive put the cd in windows and wen the pop up appears i selected upgrade rather than full install (i guessed that was only if the copy WAS a FULL install)

anyway if i was doin this from a blank hardrive and the cd boots i guess i would choose full install- right?

thankyou

(i know this seems really stupid, but i always presumed i only had the upgrade option)

yes, but you dont need to format the drive with another program.

boot of the CD, keep going with the options for a clean install until you get to the screen with the partitions on it.
than when you see a partition that XP on it, delete that, and any other partitions that you want to format.
than tell it to install winXP on the blank partition. it will ask you want file system you want (i reccomend a full NTFS format), and than it will install XP fully.
you wont need to verify with a CD, since the XP installer detected an old copy of windows on the deleted partition.

enjoy the perfect stability that comes from a clean install of XP!

[Maximouse]

Originally posted by Malakai

the upgrade version is not a little diffrerent, it only has that extra check in the installer. every file, byte for byte, is the same on upgrade as it is in the full. this is one of the biggest misconceptions in computing IMO

I Agree! Every version that I have updated to, the installation has been on a newly formatted HD. In the process of installing, all the upgrade asks for is a previous version disk for verification. It only scans the disk for a second or two.

Al

[SpyderMatrix]

look my discussion on this topic is closed you can talk about it all you want but it doesnt make a difference to me ok

[looktall]

Originally posted by SpyderMatrix
look my discussion on this topic is closed you can talk about it all you want but it doesnt make a difference to me ok

get over yourself.
since when was this ever about you?
we don't need your permission to continue discussing this topic, thank you very much.

[Malakai]

Originally posted by SpyderMatrix
look my discussion on this topic is closed you can talk about it all you want but it doesnt make a difference to me ok

thats very rude.

basically i mean to say what looktall said, but i dont like coming off rude:D

[alpha_gamer]

wow, this thread really got out of hand. spydermatrix, i have a couple messages to you from the voices in my head:

1. dude, give it up, it's like 20 vs. 1, you lost
2. who gave you permission to close my thread?
3. in your fancy OEM career, have you personally, ever compared the two os's by installing both? or are you just trusting everything you hear?

[SpyderMatrix]

look i was not closing your thread and second i install o/s's all day long and furthermore like previously stated "i am done you may if you want to continue this thread" i was not saying that you had to ask permission mainly i was saying that i was not going to answer anymore but someone didnt read very well and i dont care if is 1000000 vs 1 i dont give up unless i find out first hand so :P

[Malakai]

Originally posted by SpyderMatrix
look i was not closing your thread and second i install o/s's all day long and furthermore like previously stated "i am done you may if you want to continue this thread" i was not saying that you had to ask permission mainly i was saying that i was not going to answer anymore but someone didnt read very well and i dont care if is 1000000 vs 1 i dont give up unless i find out first hand so :P

This argument has been dead for over 3 months.

Upgrade=Full

Thats just how it is.