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