upgrading from Win2k to XP [Archive]

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Kore

06-08-2003, 08:07 PM

I am currently running Win2k, but I want to upgrade to XP for it's ability to support themes etc. (unless Win2k does?)

what precautions must i take? should i backup everything before trying it? or can i upgrade with the files still there?

thanks in advance.

Billforce

06-08-2003, 08:15 PM

Run the XP upgrade compatability for hardware first. See if all is compatible.
You can upgrade over the 2K system, although a clean install seams to me to be faster...
I always back up anything I construe to be valuable, just good practice...If you have a burner, save to a CD. I usually save to a rewrite disk and erase after I am sure all is O.K.

BipolarBill

06-08-2003, 09:09 PM

The only ways to upgrade Win2K Pro is to use either the Upgrade or Full version of WinXP Pro. An OEM CD cannot be used to upgrade.

Bigjakkstaffa

06-09-2003, 07:37 AM

To use themes in XP a number of third party utils are needed, namely windowblinds and style XP, both of which.

Even so most of the themes for XP are god awful

--Jakk:t

BipolarBill

06-09-2003, 10:51 AM

Windows 2000 supports themes. You can use Desktop Architect:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,6503,00.asp

Swordfish

06-09-2003, 12:31 PM

yup Desktop Architect is good...just try out the WinXP theme with it...it looks cool even in 2k also.

http://pages.prodigy.net/i-pedro2/WinXP2.htm

Bigjakkstaffa

06-09-2003, 01:05 PM

Erm, not to cause a scare but isnt the XP theme known to carry several spyware nasties and even a virus?

--Jakk:t

BipolarBill

06-09-2003, 01:08 PM

Not that I know of.

Bigjakkstaffa

06-09-2003, 01:12 PM

Might not be that one, but theres an XP theme availiable from download.com that works on all other versions of Windows, i was looking at it back in the dark old days when i was using win98 but read in a couple of places it was loaded with spyware and one of the later revisions carried a virus

--Jakk:t

EDIT: This is the one,

http://download.com.com/3302-2420-7981390.html?pn=3&fb=0

Johnny Fist

06-09-2003, 06:53 PM

I wouldn't switch just to use a visual style. If thats all you're looking for, skin your windows using window blinds and change your shell to litestep.

Kore

06-09-2003, 07:39 PM

thanks for the advice people :)

i've decided to stick with Win2k and use Windowsblinds, looks great!

i dont do much gaming, so winxp isn't really necessary...

silent

06-09-2003, 08:40 PM

First thing i do after a fresh install of xp is disable the nasty themes. Waste of system resources IMO.

chaskuss

06-10-2003, 09:57 AM

BiPolarBill
Thanks for the tip about Desktop Architect 2:)

BipolarBill

06-10-2003, 10:06 AM

:cool:

AllGamer

06-10-2003, 10:14 AM

Actually the most popular one is this one http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,6126,00.asp
and all its siblings from the same software maker

:t

BipolarBill

06-10-2003, 10:20 AM

Windowblinds is not free, nimrod.

AllGamer

06-10-2003, 10:32 AM

for a FREE solution, then try the Windows KDE (yeh the same one from Linux) it's real cool, and it changes your desktop and windows completely

:t

Bigjakkstaffa

06-10-2003, 10:40 AM

Windows KDE is a pain in the neck to get running, not for beginners and it doesnt even look that nice (i'm a GNOME man myself), plus ive heard its terribly unstable. As for windowblinds, thats okay but if you want the complete looks you have to buy it and about five other programs to the job of what esentially one program could do

--Jakk:t

AllGamer

06-12-2003, 10:40 AM

that is rather true, setting up KDE to work in windows is quite a Challenge

same reason why people have issues switching to linux

cuz of the Impeding complications that might show up :p