Clean install -XP Pro on IBM ThinkPad

[SatishPutcha]

Hello Everyone

I have an IBM ThinkPad G40 that came with XP HOme OEM. So I now bought the Retail version of XP Pro.

The issues I hope can be clarified are:

1) Do I need to uninstall XP Home before I install Pro?

2) Since this is an IBM it came with the Access IBM (Blue Button) and there is no CD as such for the XP Home OEM. So can I put the folder IBMTOOLS containing the drivers onto another system in the network since I do not have a CDW for taking this folder onto a CD?

3) I also have a licensed retail version of Office 2003. So once I install the Pro version I would have to install Office again. So I assume this would "count" as one more installation of Office. Is that correct?

ALl help is greatly appreciated.

Regards
Satish

 

[bcastner]

While several others will rapidly appear to disagree with me:

There is so much proprietary driver and application software issues with your IBM ThinkPad, I would use the Upgrade Option.

You will not lose your installed applications, including Access IBM.

 

[SatishPutcha]

Thanks a lot bcastner for the reply.

I have read that OEM can't be upgraded will the Upgrade option work?

if I do a clean installed will I lose the Access IBM?

Regards
Satish

 

[bcastner]

An OEM version cannot be used to upgrade. But you bought Retail, and it can: " So I now bought the Retail version of XP Pro."

See for a discussion:
faq779-4004

 

[SatishPutcha]

bcastner

Oh..OK.

I did read that and probably did not get it.

I thought that if I had an OEM Home version then it cannot be upgraded to PRO and all I can do is a clean install.

I did not understand it correctly?

So this Home OEM version can be upgraded?

Sorry, I am probably asking the same question over and over again.

Regards
Satish

 

[bcastner]

Your OEM Home version can be upgraded by a retail XP Professional version.

 

[SatishPutcha]

Thank you. Watch this space though

Regards
Satish

 

[karlisi]

It is recommended to update your ThinkPad G40 drivers after Windows upgrade

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/multiplefiledownload.do?validate=true

===
Karlis
ECDL; MCP

 

[SatishPutcha]

Thank you bcastner. Upgrade seems to have gone well.

Karlis, thank you. I will download the updates.

Regards
satish