Greetings --
JB said:
I have win98 2nd edition on my HD and want to format HD
to clean install windows XP pro. I have the following
questions.
1. How do I format drive correctly with FAT32 etc. so XP
will install correctly and all data is wiped clean from
drive. I have all min requirements etc.
You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format
partitions as part of the installation process. Bear in mind that, by
design, WinXP cannot create/format a FAT32 partition that is larger
than 32 Gb. WinXP can be installed upon a larger than FAT32
partition, assuming it already exists, or is creating by other means.
Simply boot from the WinXP Upgrade CD. The Upgrade CD checks to
see if a qualifying OS is installed, and, if it finds none, it asks
you to insert the installation media (CD) of that OS. Unfortunately,
an OEM "Recovery/Restore" CD will not work for this purpose; you must
have a true installation CD, complete with the "\Win98" folder and
*.cab files, or the "\i386" folder of WinNT/2K.
2. I bought my computer used 3 years ago and don't have
the win98 CDs anymore. I heard you have to have them to
verify a qualifying previous version of windows during
steup. How can I fix this problem.
If you don't have the original Win98 installation CD, your options
are limited. You'll either have to buy a second-hand retail copy of
Win98 to use as an upgrade qualifier, upgrade to WinXP directly from
Win98 to WinXP, foregoing the clean installation, or purchase a full
version of WinXP.
3. I have the upgrade version of XP pro I got bought from
my university. Will this be a problem for clean install.
It's quite possible to perform a clean installation using the
Upgrade CD. However, see the answers to questions 1 and 2, above.
4. I will change BIOS to boot from CD rom in setup. As
long as this option exits in setup will any kind/brand of
CD-rom thats on my system work.
Only you know what motherboard and BIOS you have, so only you know
the answer to this question. ;-}
In the extremely unlikely event that your PC's manual or the PC's
manufacturer's web site don't provide the needed information, try one
or more of the following:
How do I access my computer's setup (BIOS)
http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/2157.html
Wim's BIOS Page
http://www.wimsbios.com/
Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
You should also be aware that it's very easy to render, at least
temporarily, your PC unbootable by making an incorrect change in the
BIOS. So be very careful.
Have you made sure that your PC's hardware components are capable
of supporting WinXP? This information will be found at the PC's
manufacturer's web site, and on Microsoft's Windows Catalog:
(
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx) Additionally, run
Microsoft WinXP Upgrade Advisor to see if you have any incompatible
hardware components or applications.
You should, before proceeding, take a few minutes to ensure that
there are WinXP device drivers available for all of the machine's
components. There may not be, if the PC was specifically designed for
Win98/Me. Also bear in mind that PCs designed for, sold and run fine
with Win9x/Me very often do not meet WinXP's much more stringent
hardware quality requirements. This is particularly true of many
models in Compaq's consumer-class Presario product line or HP's
consumer-class Pavilion product line. WinXP, like WinNT and Win2K
before it, is quite sensitive to borderline defective or substandard
hardware (particularly motherboards, RAM and hard drives) that will
still support Win9x.
HOW TO Prepare to Upgrade Win98 or WinMe
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316639
Upgrading to Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm
Bruce Chambers
--
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