Good stuff all...thanks for the info.  Thankfully this is my wife's
machine - so even if I do screw something up, we won't be stranded
w/out hope.

The machine is either a 2000 or a 2001 - and probably barely broken in
(my wife's not the techie).  I almost just let it be, even with any
security weaknesses.  I started to get more worried after Microsoft
dropped Me completely off its dancecard.

Thanks again for the advice - Happy New Year.

V/R, duna


CL wrote:
> duna6430@gmail.com wrote:
> > My question for the group is kind of reversed, as I've returned to the
> > States, but I thought you all might have had some experience or know
> > where I should turn...
> >
> > I have a Japanese Dell, with Japanese OS/Millenium - tried to upgrade
> > with (stateside) XP - but it won't take with the Japanese OS.
> >
> > I'm not sure whether I should just do a clean install w/a completely
> > new OS, or can I find the Japanese OS XP shopping online somewhere
> > (haven't found anything yet).  I live in a Podunky town, and haven't
> > found much local tech help that I can count on yet.
> >
> > Thanks in advance -
>
> If your laptop is old enough to have Millennium installed, the hardware
> may be too old to run XP without major surgery.  You should check
> compatibility with MS's XP web site.
>
> If you have a Japanese MS software version installed, it is _always_
> pretty reluctant to accept an overwrite of an English version update --
> that's been true since WIN 3.1, at least.  You will probably be better
> off reformatting and starting over.
>
> 1.  I'd suggest that you check in with the Tokyo PC Users Group --
> http://www.tokyopc.org and subscribe to the relevant news groups at
> news.tokyopc.org and ask your questions there, as well.
>
> 2.  Where are the drivers for your laptop stored?  If you have them on a
> separate install CD, you're golden to strip your HDD and start over.  If
> they're in a hidden partition, pay particular attention to what you
> erase and reformat.  Especially if that laptop is the only way you can
> access the Internet.  However, it's unlikely that most Millennium
> drivers will work in XP at all, so download what you need before you
> start and burn them on to a bootable CD.
>
> (Take that last one from someone who recently ended up having to spend
> two hours an Internet cafe downloading and burning a new CD of drivers
> for a desktop whose HDD he'd stripped a little too efficiently.)
> 
> CL