updating to XP from Win95

[Alex Nichol]

Of all the posts on installing XP on a W95 computer this is the only one
that comes close to explaining what a "clean intall is". Does it mean to run
"format c:" or just "uninstall W95" if that, in fact is a W95 option? This
assumes the harware is sufficient to run XP and that you do have the
original W95 installation CD. The term "clean install" would seem to indicate
an empty primary (c partition but doesn't specifically state so or the best
way to reach that status.

You should format the drive; otherwise you are liable to have bits and
pieces of half-installed software around. Back up data, then boot the
XP CD direct. Enter Setup, and after the license agreement take New
Install. When it asks you to confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete
the current partition and make a new RAW one to be formatted at the next
stage

A little way in, Setup will ask where Windows is. At that point put the
qualifying CD in the drive, and point to it; on a Blue screen asking for
a CD, put the XP one back and carry on. Any retail Win95 CD will be
accepted; but some OEM restore ones that do not have a Win95 folder of
..Cab files will not be.

Do check on adequacy of hardware before trying. You need *more* than
the officially 'recommended' 128MB RAM, and a very least a 350 MHz CPU,
with 5 GB hard disk space, or it is not worth the attempt