Install Windows XP Professional x64?

I know very little about software (so please make answers simple). Anyway, I decided to take the advice of a woman at the university bookstore and got Windows XP Pro x64...

How do I install it?

I have Windows XP Home Edition SP2 (32 bit) that came with my computer. Will I have to save all my files? ... Will installing this be like reformatting the hard drive? Should this be *that* difficult for me to do? I'm still a student (so I want to do it myself to keep the cost down).

Install Windows XP Professional x64?microsoft xp

First, you should make shure your system actually is x64 capable.

All you need to install your new OS, is to enter the bios doing startup, (usually by hitting DEL), then enter the boot section, and set your CD/DVD drive, as the 1ST boot device.

When done, save and exit. Then it should load the setup wizard, which would lead you trough the rest of the install process.

It might allow you to upgrade, but i won't recommand it. Instead doing a clean install, insures that its "clean", I.E. No broken reg-keys, and no broken programs.

Check out the following guides:

(Running the CD from Windows)

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro...

(Boot from the CD)

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro...

(Upgrade)

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro...

Install Windows XP Professional x64?download windows xp internet explorer

Installing a new operating system will destroy all existing data on your hard drive.

There is NO reason to go with X64 unless you are into Video Editing and Computer aided disign (CAD). They require the extra processing speed and capacity.

If you do install XP Pro x64 will not notice any difference at all.

You will gain nothing.

Stick with what you have.
First, make sure you have a processor that can handle a 64 bit operating system.

Do you have a dual core processor like AMD64x2?

Then you will need to reformat the hard drive, or just replace the old with the new version.

You cannot upgrade directly from XP 32 bit, which is what you have, to a 64 bit. You have to save all of your data to an external storage of some sort, and you have to reinstall all of your installed programs from CD, or have licenses for the programs you downloaded that will allow you to upgrade at no additional charge. Some might have a free patch to install. You will probably have to upgrade some of them to the 64 bit operating system versions. Some popular XP programs are not compatible with 64 bit. There may be a file transfer wizard you can find on-line that can guide you through this. There is one for Vista when changing from XP to Vista which is about the same situation.

If you are counting on your computer to get through school, you should wait until summer or when all of your programs can be inactive for a while, just in case.

You may need to spend money upgrading some of your programs and drivers to accomodate the change. So, if your computer is tolerable and working fairly smoothly, wait till school is out then mess with it.