Windows XP - Home Edition?

_Newt, The update is the full edition. You can still do a clean install using the WinXP upgrade disk. Use the upgrade disk as if it were a full version type. Somewhere along the installation process you will get a prompt something like this, "Window did not detect a previous version of Windows, please insert the (list of versions) disk in the CD drive." After about 10 seconds, continue the installation with the Win XP version.
Windows just wants to know if you have the previous version.

Try other websites for the Windows XP, unless you want the support from Dell

_Newt,

The Upgrade CD will work for a clean install if either a qualifying operating system is installed on the computer being upgraded (which is not the case for your brother's system) or the user has a copy of a qualifying operating system on CD (which will be the case if your brother's computer had Windows 98 or later installed and he still has that CD. When prompted early in the installation process all he needs to do is insert the CD in the drive, XP will identify it as a qualifying OS and proceed with the installation.

If he does not have the CD, you can get a full OEM copy of XP Home for $88 here.

I'm actually ordering this through Dell because I'm ordering a DVD drive for my own computer as well. I'm adding on the XP for my brother, who needs it for a computer of his own. Just making it a bit easier.

Let me see if I understood this straight. I can just buy the update software and install it on a brand new system? My brother tells me he's just sort of rebuilt his computer and is looking for XP. The hard drive is brand new, never used. Even though the update is $100 less than the other version, it'll still work for a brand new system?

If thats the case, I have no problem just buying the update for Professional. I'm not sure if I understand why there would be the two different versions then, but if it works as you say, I guess it really doesn't matter.

_Newt:

Yes both update versions can be used for a clean install, they both ask you for the cd for a previous version of windows. The difference between them is that professional has more networking and security features than the home version.

Thank you all for your replies!

I wasn't aware that the update only required a CD, I was under the assumption that you needed to have a previous OS installed on the computer. So, thank you guys for clearing that up.

Denny, thank you for the link, that's definitely something I'll use sometime. Very good software deals!

Thank you all again,
-Newt

Message Edited by _Newt on 10-16-2004 12:34 AM

_Newt,  Here is a link for doing a clean install using an upgrade CD.  Note step 7, then further down look at step 4b.

The link is HERE