Tried to upgrade from w2K to xp home. Can't do it. Decided I would try to format the hard drive on my desk top and do a clean install of xp home. Couldn't format hard drive.Got an error message that programs were open (sorry, didn't write down exact message). I went to the C drive and selected format from "files" option to try to format.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? I know I can purchase a copy of xp professional, but don't want to spend $130.00.

How many drives do you have? I don't think you can "upgrade" from W2k to XP Home without format. If you aren't worried about losing information on your drive, you can insert the XP Home disc and restart the computer, format the drive and install windows.

This should give you all you need to know:
Release Notes for Windows XP Setup Contained in the Home.txt File

edit:
You can't format a drive while you are using it to run your operating system.

Here is upgrade paths:Windows XP supported upgrade paths

Upgrade paths to Windows XP

Are you using an upgrade disk or a full install disk?

Thanks for the information. It should have occurred to me that I couldn't format a drive I was using at the same time. Have one more idea I will try. If that doesn't work, I will consider purchasing a copy of XP professional.

To be more clear, you can install home on your system. You will lose data if you format without backing your files up.


-Microsoft

If that is what you are looking for, then I would buy XP Pro.

Ahhh you were trying to format while using the computer?

Then set first boot in BIOS to CD rom put in XP disk and save and exit.Follow the instructions on screen.