Windows XP Upgrade Clean Install

[Brett]

I currently own Windows 98SE (upgrade from Windows 95).
Was wondering if I can buy the Win XP Pro upgrade, and
then install it on a newly formatted hard disk without
first installing Win 98. I suppose I can, and it will
just ask me for my Win 98 key? I would prefer a clean
install over installing it on top of Win 98.

 

[Ken Blake]

I currently own Windows 98SE (upgrade from Windows 95).
Was wondering if I can buy the Win XP Pro upgrade, and
then install it on a newly formatted hard disk without
first installing Win 98.

Yes. The reuirement is to *own* a previous qualifying version,
not to have it installed.

I suppose I can, and it will
just ask me for my Win 98 key?

No, it will ask you to insert the Windows 98 CD, as proof of
ownership.

I would prefer a clean
install over installing it on top of Win 98.

Why? Although with older versions of Windows, that often brought
better results, it's much less true with XP. My advice is to at
least try doing an upgrade. If problems develop (which is
unlikely), you can always revert to a clean installation.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I currently own Windows 98SE (upgrade from Windows 95).
Was wondering if I can buy the Win XP Pro upgrade, and
then install it on a newly formatted hard disk without
first installing Win 98. I suppose I can, and it will
just ask me for my Win 98 key? I would prefer a clean
install over installing it on top of Win 98.

Yes you can, you can even use the 95 CD as long as you are doing a clean
install. Be sure you do more than meet the minimum requirements for
upgrading to XP before you even purchase XP; otherwise you will be very
disappointed if you are trying to upgrade a system that originally shipped
with W95.
See the links below to find out if you should make the changes to your
current system, sometimes it is more cost efficient to purchase a low end
computer with XP installed than to try to upgrade an older Win 9X based
system. You will probably need to replace some key hardware and software and
the cost is not worth what your trouble and expense. If the system you plan
to upgrade is still working with reasonable efficiency, consider using the
money for the upgrade to purchase a new computer and network the two
computers. You can even get inexpensive switching devices where you can use
the same keyboard, mouse and monitor on two computers.
After reviewing the link below and you still decide on updating the computer
to XP, prep it for a clean install, but do the upgrade over 98 as the first
option. When done properly, the upgrade is just as good and in the case of
older hardware and software it is the only way to carry over drivers and
updates. Do not try to migrate anti-virus or CD burning software from a 9X
platform to XP, it will usually end in disaster.

Click on or copy and paste the links below into your web browser address
box.

For upgrading to XP Home or Pro, see the links below.
http://aumha.org/a/xpupgrad.htm
XP Upgrade
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_2kupgrade.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_9xupgrade.asp
See the link below for steps on performing a Clean Install.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
Known problems with XP upgrades.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpupgdissues.html
Known Problems with Clean installs.
http://www.labmice.net/WindowsXP/Install/installbugs.htm
It's a good idea to download the upgrade advisor to check compatibility of
your software and hardware. It is a large download, but it can save you
hours of frustration.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

 

[Michael Stevens]

Provided your computer is XP capable DO a clean install. DO NOT do an
upgrade, the clean install gives better results

Eric Booth

A clean install giving better results in changing a system that was
originally shipped with 95 but still XP capable is questionable. A system
this old will in all likelihood have some hardware and software that cannot
be installed or upgraded from a clean install. I always recommend doing a
through prep for a clean install, but if the option is available choose to
upgrade. DO THE UPGRADE! If the upgrade is a success, you have saved hours
of time, perhaps days configuring or even getting an older system to a
productive state. If the upgrade is not satisfactory, boot form the CD and
do a clean install. You have the backups and drivers available for the clean
install so nothing is lost except a couple of hours.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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