Upgrade from 98se to XP

[cb]

I'm about to upgrade and I was wondering if there are
there any problems I should be aware of. Thank you!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Before upgrading any existing Windows installation, it would be prudent to
run the Upgrade Advisor for Windows XP. This tool will report what hardware
or software may be incompatible with Windows XP. If you follow the Upgrade
Advisor's recommendations, you should not have any problem upgrading to
Windows XP.

If you fail to utilize the Upgrade Advisor, you may run into incompatibility issues.
Just inserting the Windows XP Upgrade CD in the CD Drive and selecting
"upgrade" is not going to give you the desired result. You must "prepare and
plan" your computer before beginning the upgrade process.

Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307726

It is imperative that you have the latest BIOS update installed. Visit the support
website of the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard for instructions
on updating your computer's BIOS.

Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

How to Flash Your BIOS
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/answerstips/story/0,24330,3336702,00.html

If you perform the upgrade, using the following procedure,
you should retain your programs and files. However, it is
always prudent to backup your critical files....just in case.

1. Purchase the conventional "retail upgrade version" of Windows XP.
2. Uninstall any third-party antivirus or firewall programs.
3. Disconnect all peripheral hardware devices, but not the monitor, keyboard or mouse.
4. While at your Windows desktop screen, insert the Windows XP Upgrade CD in the CD drive.
5. Select the default "Upgrade" option....do not select "New Installation".
6. Defrag your drive after upgrading.
7. Reinstall your antivirus program & turn-on the firewall.
8. Visit the Windows Update website and download the necessary updates.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

WinXP is designed to install and upgrade the existing operating
system while simultaneously preserving your applications and data, and
translating as many personalized settings as possible. The process is
designed to be, and normally is, quite painless. That said, things
can go wrong, in a small number of cases. If your data is at all
important to you, back it up before proceeding.

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
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[BobDelaney]

If it were me, I'd take the opportunity to do a full system backup to a
removable medium, such as tape or writable CDs. Then plan on doing a clean
install rather than an upgrade, which will allow you to remove all vestiges
of the old operating system.
Be sure to run the Windows XP Compatibility Check first, to see if any of
your software or hardware will pose a problem in the upgrade. See my
response to the poster named "jamie" a few below this one for more details.
Once you'be got used to Windows XP and its tremendous stability and
performance, you'll wonder why you waited so long. One last note: your
computer should be a fast P-III or better, with 256 MB or RAM or more, and a
hard disk of at least 10 GB, and 20 GB is better by the time you load up
your applications and data.