Can Win7 upgrade be installed on an XP system that doesn't actually start?

[Dreamstalker]

SuSE Pro=boots fine
Win7=no worky, back to "did not shut down properly" loop.
Ubuntu immediately afterwards=no problem

SuSE and Ubuntu aren't checking for previous anything where Win7 is.

Okay, I gave up and shelled out for the full OEM version... What seems to be happening is that the disc was looking for evidence of XP on the hard drive and not finding it (therefore not starting because it doesn't see the computer as 'eligible' for an upgrade). I don't really want to fark around with the older XP discs in vague hopes that it might work...this way, should something else happen at least I have a known working DVD to restore from.

Anyone want a Home Premium upgrade cheap? ^_^

[Dreamstalker]

Navi LIVES!

Welp, "Navi" is finally up and running Win7. It seems that the IDE drive and/or cable was the underlying problem; I'm running full SATA now. The CD/DVD drive is a bit noisy when spinning up, but I didn't expect a super-silent drive for a $15 special (at least it works).

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it is in here; the Compaq didn't have a fan controller (or even room for one) so it had a 92mm fan running full tilt in an attempt to keep it alive.

I've had to remove the wireless router from our setup for now until I figure out what was causing Windows and/or Comcast to not recognize it...no big deal though.

A few cosmetic bits are needed (bay covers, cable ties etc), but that's going to have to wait until the joint account (really my 'business' account) gets some money in it again.