There is a host of good reasons to do a clean install when moving from
Windows 98/Me to Windows XP. Among other things, you get every vestige of
the old operating system off your computer, and start 'clean' with Windows
XP. I'd recommend this route.
You will need, of course, to make a backup of your files, e-mail
archives, address book(s) and your configuration settings, and also locate
all your original software application CDs, as you'll 'rebuild' the hard
disk.
However, for the investment of the hours (about a weekend actually)
necessary, you'll have a smooth and fully-XP computer. As a strong
suggestion, be sure to download **new** Windows XP-specific hardware drivers
for all your peripherals before you begin the clean install process. Don't,
as a rule, use the software that came on the CD with the hardware. Get
updated drivers from the vendor's web site(s). As well, be sure to run the
Windows XP Compatibility Check before starting your clean install, which you
will do by booting from the Windows XP CD, and deleting the primary
partition. Remember, once you'be deleted the primary partition, all data on
it is **LOST**, so that backup to removable media (tape or writable CDs) is
absolutely essential.
