I currently have WIN ME. Can I upgrade to WIN XP without formatting so as to keep existing programs? Thanks-

Yes,but run the upgrade advisor on the XP installation disk first and it will generate a report telling you what kind of hardware and software problems you will have with XP. Antivirus and firewall programs have to be reinstalled after the upgrade, and cd burning software sometimes has to be upgraded. Pay special attention to hardware device drivers and look for any new ones you will need before you install XP.

i want to do the same and i ran the installation disc and it said i may have problems with my speedway,scanner,digital camera,ISDN analog modem v.32bis,all the extras you get with bt highway,and then that my CDR would need reinstalling and my DVD (which came in my machine) would need to be upgraded???????? why is it so conflicting?? im a novice and have no idea as to how to upgrade drivers etc!! i just want XP !!! HELPPPPPP!!!!!!

That's the good thing about the advisor. It tells you this stuff before installing. All you can do is visit the hardware manufacturers' sites and hope they have updated XP drivers in their support department. Then download the drivers and transfer them to disc so you have them if you need them. Sometimes XP finds a driver that works despite the warning, but not always. It also helps to have an active internet connection available so XP can search for drivers and updates right away.

Windows XP is based on the nt kernal so most of the win9x drivers will not work. If you can't find an xp driver, maybe a win2000 driver may work in the mean time. The cdrom may need a bios flash if available. If you don't upgrade the drivers you will wish you never saw xp!!