Pam said:
I just bought a new Windows XP for my home computer.
I have Windows 98 installed now.
Is it best to uninstall Windows 98 before I install XP?
First, let me warn you that the spam that is sure to fill your inbox over
the next few days is NOT something you want/want to open. It is not from
Microsoft no matter how legitimate it looks.
As for your question, that depends on your reasoning for upgrading and
opinions on things as well as options for reinstalling the applications you
have installed now.
Upgrade if you like the way your computer is now.. The look, the feel, the
applications installed, etc. Yes, you will have some changes in looks - you
are skipping a few generations of advancement in one large jump. Upgrade if
you don't have the installation media for the programs you currently have.
Upgrade if you don't understand how to backup your files/folders to another
place.
Do a fresh installation if you are having issues with your machine that you
are certain are software related. Do this if you know how to backup your
files/folders and you have the installation media for all of your used
applications.
Either way - it is recommended you backup your personal files and run the
Upgrade Advisor first:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Make sure you can go, what programs/hardware will have trouble, etc.
And these steps might help you think about what you need to do:
Collect the Windows XP Drivers for all of your hardware.
Backup all your important data.
Uninstall unnecessary programs. (Upgrade Only)
Disconnect from the Internet.
Do a Full Virus Scan. (Upgrade Only)
Do a Full Spyware/Adware scan. (Upgrade Only)
Do a disk defragmentation. (Upgrade Only)
Do a CHKDSK/SCANDISK.
You may want to even UNINSTALL your AntiVirus software for now. (Upgrade
Only)
Then upgrade/fresh install.
Turn on the Firewall before you EVER connect back to the Internet.
After you turn on the firewall and get back on the Internet, go straight to:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
and download the latest critical updates.
Reinstall your antivirus software and update it.
