Windows XP to Windows 8 clean install

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

I am about to install windows 8 on my pc (from purchased CD). -pc was previously was running windows XP 

 

Having spent some time looking into how to do that I've decided to do it by clean install. I have backed up my personal files plus created a full image and a rescue cd in case I need to revert and also gathered my applications for reinstall.

 

Now wondering what to do about Norton Internet security 2014. I have the purchased CD for that so I can re-install from that but will I then use up the spare licence?  

 

I have online account which shows my product and my pc. Should I do something there before do the clean install to windows 8 or should I uninstall NIS 2014 before I do the clean install?

 

Reason for asking is that assuming I manage to get my current pc working with windows 8 I was then going to buy a new pc and wanted spare licence for that. The old pc would then be for other half to do his one or emails per month.

 

I am just about to start doing the install of windows 8 so if anyone can give me some speedy advice I'd be grateful.

 

Thank you

Anti Vera

2

Hi Anti-Vera,

 

Before installing NIS on the new OS Windows 8, you need to free up the activation previously on Windows XP.

Therefore you should log into Norton Management at https://manage.norton.com and click on the My Account tab. Click on product Details, then find the computer with XP system on which NIS is activated and which you want to remove  - now click on the trash can beside it.

Now, to install NIS on the new System, log into your Norton Account at https://account.norton.com and click on the yellow Download button beside your current Norton product. This will download and install a preactivated copy of NIS. At the end run LiveUpdate manually a few times, rebooting as requested, until no updates are available.

 

If you have trouble with the above procedure, you can contact Customer Support Live Chat, clicking on https://www.norton.com/chat. It will put you in touch with your local support if you are outside the USA.

 

Note: If you use Identity Safe, before uninstalling NIS backup/export your data in both .csv and .dat formats, just as a precaution.

 

Let us know how you get on.

3

Don't worry about using an extra activation. Even if it does grab one Norton OnLine Support can sort that out for you.

 

But if you go into your Norton Account you can disable the activation yourself on the old installation which no longer exists but which the Norton Database won't know about unless you cancel first.

 

Is your Windows 8 disk 8.0 or 8.1 -- it will save you a lot of work if it is 8.1 -- if it is not I would see if you can change it. Is it for 32 bit or 64 bit Windows 8.x ? If 64 bit are you sure that your hardware will support 64 bit and in particular that your externals like printers or scanners have 64 bit drivers?

 

You don't need the Norton CD since once you have Windows 8 set up you can download from the Norton servers the latest version of your product just by logging into your Norton Account and using the Download button. The CD you bought will be way out of date and not Windows 8 compatible since the disks are not updated over time. However the KEY that comes with it will be usable when your current Norton subscription ends (don't use it now or it will wipe out unexpired time). But you have to have bought the same Norton Product (except for date/version) as your present subscription.

 

PS Glad to see that Rainbow has given specific instructions on freeing up the activation.

4

Hi Rainbow,

Thank you very much for responding to me with such clarity. I have checked my a/c online and found the trash can and yellow download button and will follow your advice and do just before I do the OS Window 8 installation.

 

I am in fact in England and hope that does not preclude me from the benefit of the expertise which abounds in this forum.

 

I will report back on how it turns out in due course. I am still making sure I have everything in place before I take the plunge and doing the install to Windows 8.

 

Have a nice day.

Anti Vera

5

Hello Hugh,

 

Thank for adding some more detail. I have a Windows 8 Pro DVD and in the box there are two DVDs – one for 32 bit and one for 64 bit. My pc is Dell Vostro 1710 about 4 years old currently runs Windows XP Professional and is 32 bit. My intention is to therefore load the 32 bit DVD.

 

I ran the Microsoft Upgrade Assistant before purchasing the Windows 8 DVD which indicated my computer could run Windows 8. Somewhere in the midst of googling for information I read that Windows XP could (subject to compatibility test) upgrade to Windows 8 but not straight up to 8.1. Once Windows 8 is up and running, I believe a free upgrade to 8.1 is then an available option.

 

I appreciate the tip with regard to not using the NIS CD purchased Nov 2013. I realised this would need to update, but assumed the download in my account was the same – nice to know it is a newer version so will save some update time. I suspect when I do the install that Windows Update and others will all be fighting to get in.

 

Regards

 

Anti Vera

6

On that machine, from what data I can find on it, with 2 or 3GB of RAM not much point in going to 64 bit even if it would take it (Windows 7 64 bit would not install on one of my older machines would not because there was no 94 bit driver for the ethernet chip on the motherboard and it aborted the installation).

 

You can't actually do a real on top upgrade of XP to Windows 8 (nor could you for Windows 7) but had to do effectively a clean install so you need to save all your personal data files and make sure you have installation media for your applications off the PC, do the installation of 8.0 which will (hopefully) give you a clean Windows 8 operating system -- but note that you may have to get hold of Dell's specific laptop system files for the special features on a laptop and install them afterwards.

 

See http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/product/vostro-1710  but Vista is the most recent Windows version listed.

 

This is a very clear set of instructions from Microsoft

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-from-windows-vista-xp-tutorial 

 

and it contains a clear statement of how to deal with installation if you want to not log in with a Microsoft Account. This came up the other day on a laptop I was doing for a friend and the user did not want to have to enter a password every time she started up the PC.

 

Look down that article past the mention of a Microsoft Account and you will find the key move:

 

 

 

If you want to keep using a local account

 

Windows 8.1 is designed to be used with a Microsoft account, so we recommend that you give it a try. Simply put, a Microsoft account is the glue that holds together so many useful features of the new Windows. Without one, you won't be able to, for example, get new apps from the Windows Store, automatically sync your settings and documents between PCs, back up your photos to the cloud so you can get to them from anywhere, or see all your contacts from multiple email and social networking accounts together in the People and Mail apps.

 

But if you're sure you want to use a local account instead, click Create a new account, and then on the new account page, click Continue using my existing account.

 

 

You need a Microsoft Account to download from the Microsoft Store so you will have to end up making one later but if you want to avoid logging in with a password when you start the computer then follow this route.

 

Once you get 8.0 installed you must run Windows Upgrade and get all their upgrades to 8.0 before you try to install 8.1 and a whole new bunch were released today the 2nd Tuesday and should be available for you soon.

 

It's quite a procedure on a laptop -- luckily the one I was working on came with 8.1 installed but I still had to avoid the Microsoft Account log in.

 

Hope I have not confused you. If you have not it could be worth scanning Dell User Forums for messages from people who have upgraded the Vostro from XP to Windows 7 or 8 ......

7
Anti-Vera wrote:

Hi Rainbow,

Thank you very much for responding to me with such clarity. I have checked my a/c online and found the trash can and yellow download button and will follow your advice and do just before I do the OS Window 8 installation.

 

I am in fact in England and hope that does not preclude me from the benefit of the expertise which abounds in this forum.

 

I will report back on how it turns out in due course. I am still making sure I have everything in place before I take the plunge and doing the install to Windows 8.

 

Have a nice day.

Anti Vera

Hi Anti Vera,

 

"...and do just before I do the OS Window 8 installation."

I believe you are only referring to the removal of the activation on the XP System?

You could also do it followed by the download/installation of NIS on the Windows 8 System on the same occasion, when the Windows 8 installation is finished.

 

We are here if you need any more detail.

 

Good luck! (from Europe, too :smileywink: )