"Raiders_rock123@hotmail.com"
<Raiders_rock123@hotmail.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:646A32A9-CAB2-4287-A4BD-BC7B007E8FA7@microsoft.com...
> it wont let me it says it cant install what do i do?
Without knowing the exact text of the error message or the labels on the
disks...
This would probably mean that you have an OEM version of an XP install CD.
These support only clean installs to bare drives (which may include
repartitioning and formatting the drive that you're trying to install to,
losing all data in the process) or repair installs.
OEM CDs do not support any kind of upgrade installs. They are intended for
installing XP on new machines or maintenance to an already installed OEM
version.
So, you basically have three options.
First, get an upgrade version of the XP disk. This will help you now, but
in future, should something like drive failure happen, you'll need another
qualifying Windows install disk to be able to install to the new drive.
And it means that you'll have paid twice.
Second, wipe the existing drive and install clean. This means you must
back up all data to something else, first. It also means you are
installing to an older drive, and drives do have limited life spans.
Third, and possibly best, get another drive. Remove the existing drive,
install the new one, and don't connect the old one till after the Windows
install is complete. Drives are inexpensive now (80 gig drives can be had
for under CDN$50, 250 gig drives for under CDN$100), and this approach keeps
all your data safe. At the end, you simply attach your old drive (even
by USB adapter or case) and copy your data to the new drive.
HTH
-pk