Scanning a 32-bit XP PC for Windows 8 compatibility without forking out for Win 8 in advance

Ist create an Image Backup of Windows XP, then download and install the 90 day free trial of Windows 8.

 

 

Enterprise 90 day trial: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx

 

 

Image Backup software: EaseUS Todo Backup Home V5.8 http://www.todo-backup.com/
Free version: http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software-features.htm
(Note: Install Todo and then create an "Emergency Disk" before you start creating your first image backup)
Version 5.8 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

 

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

The Upgrade Assistant runs on XP SP3. It sounds like you don't have Service Pack 3 installed. Can you confirm this?

I agree with Entergy, it is likely you don't have the latest updates for Windows XP installed.

 

See:

http://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/part-1-how-to-upgrade-using-the-windows-8-upgrade-assistant/

then:

http://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/part-2-how-to-upgrade-using-the-windows-8-upgrade-assistant/  

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

How to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 8

 

 

 

Even if XP Service Pack 3 is not installed, after installing it you will end up deleting XP during the upgrade. Do the image backup and try the trial version, if the trial works, then restore XP using the Image Backup and then purchase Windows 8 (if it works OK on your computer).

 

 

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Thanks for your time folks.  SP3 is indeed installed, and the PC is fully updated with auto updates.  On "System properties" it clearly says "Service Pack 3" under "System:" on the General tab.

I even tried uninstalling and reinstalling SP3 (with all Windows updates installed after) and it's the same.  The Upgrade Assistant starts to run and then reports "This platform is not supported" in a Windows Setup box.  Unfortnately there's no other info to help, just that.

I suppose it's one of those weird things where something has gone awry in the depths of windows somewhere.

I did notice one thing, though I doubt it's relevant.  When I upgraded my PC (incl. new mainboard) back in 2008 I couldn't get my legal, retail copy of XP to validate and had to phone Microsoft.  they gave me a key that worked, but it seems they gave me an OEM one, which is annoying although I suppose it's moot now.  Still, I understand it should be possible to upgrade from OEM XP Windows 8.

ETA: just to add the Windows Genuine Validation thing always works OK when I download something from Microsoft or whatever.  It's definitely a pukka copy of XP, recognised as so by Microsoft.

Does anyone have any ideas why the Upgrade Advisor might reject a fully updated XP-running PC?

Is there any way to make it provide a log to see at which point it is exiting?