Two different installs = minor to major problems

[dlyles]

While changing my OS from XP to Server 2003, I wound up with two different installations. One doesn't function properly and the other does. When I boot up it ask which OS to load and I make my selection.

Ok, problems are, needless to say, happening. Well maybe they're not problems. For example, all my old user data and files are still there in the Documents & ... folder. I can access all the files and some of the programs. I can't re-install Office, for example, but I was able to reinstall Smart FTP. There are also some small things that aren't working that I think should be working, for example, ODBC connections are acting funny.

Any ideas?

[cluberti]

Did you install Server 2003 over Windows XP, on the same drive?

[dlyles]

Yes and now I have the two 2003s and the old user account info from XP is still there, but I'm not sure if that's not supposed to be there or not.

[cluberti]

You'd be wise to back up your data and reinstall Server 2003 - since both Windows XP and Server 2003 use the \WINDOWS folder on the system drive to store most of their information, you've now got a hodge-podge of files from both 2003 and XP in the same WINDOWS directory. This is likely why you have boot issues with one of the installations as well, as having mismatched file versions (especially from different Windows versions, let alone service pack and hotfix levels) causes these kinds of issues all of the time.

Good luck to you, you may need it .