Perform clean installation of XP on old computer

[BillyL]

I have an older computer with Windows 98 that I want to
upgrade to Win XP. I want to install XP completely
clean. All the files from that computer have been saved
externally and I don't care about keeping any programs
installed. What I want to do is wipe everything clean
and do a completely fresh reinstall of Win 98 (so no
system settings or registry modifications are retained)
and then upgrade to Win XP. Does anyone know the
procedure or a place I can go to get this procedure?
BillyL

 

[purplehaz]

Put in the xp cd and reboot the computer.(the xp cd is bootable). Once it
boots to the cd follow the onscreen instructions. If it doesn't boot to the
cd go into the bios and set the first boot device to cdrom. If there is no
option like that, then get an xp floppy boot disk here (www.bootdisk.com) ,
boot to the floppy disk and follow instructions.

 

[Dave]

Do NOT install Win98. Be sure your system is set to boot from CD, then boot
the computer from your XP disk. Use setup to delete and/or create
partitions. Then format from setup. Since it sounds like you have an
upgrade version of XP there will come a time during setup that it will ask
for proof of ownership of your windows 98. At this time put your 98 disk in
the CD drive and it will look at the CD and verify it then prompt you to put
your XP disk back in (unless you have 2 CD drives) and complete the XP
install clean.

 

[wendy \(v-2wends\)]

Here is a link that tells you step by step on how to install windows xp.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941

 

[Larc]

| I have an older computer with Windows 98 that I want to
| upgrade to Win XP. I want to install XP completely
| clean. All the files from that computer have been saved
| externally and I don't care about keeping any programs
| installed. What I want to do is wipe everything clean
| and do a completely fresh reinstall of Win 98 (so no
| system settings or registry modifications are retained)
| and then upgrade to Win XP. Does anyone know the
| procedure or a place I can go to get this procedure?

Other replies will help to get you through the installation, but there's one
thing you should do first if you have an older computer. Download and run the
XP Upgrade Advisor from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

It's supposed to be on the XP CD, but Microsoft did a damn good job of hiding it
on my CDs.

Ignore anything concerning software since you say you won't be using what you
have now, but the UA will show you any incompatibilities with hardware and will
alert you to make sure you have updated drivers on hand in the event you need
them.

Larc



§§§ - Please raise temperature of mail to reply by e-mail - §§§

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

It's quite possible to perform a clean installation using an
Upgrade CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and
format partitions as part of the installation process.

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.

Alternatively, or especially if all you have is an OEM Recovery CD
for the earlier OS, you can even start the upgrade from within the
current Win98/Me/NT/2K installation, and still elect to perform a
clean installation, to include formatting the drive. In this case,
there's no further request for the qualifying OS's installation CD,
because the installation routing "remembers" that you started from
within the qualifying OS. This process is more time-consuming, but
you get the same results: a clean installation of WinXP.


Bruce Chambers

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