Upgrade or OEM

[Guest]

Can I get opinions on whether to upgrade my win98SE with the "upgrade"
version of XP home, or to take a chance on an OEM full version for the same
basic price? I know I could drop the money for the full retail version of XP
but I'm trying to avoid that. just looking for opinions.

Thank you

 

[Tom Porterfield]

Can I get opinions on whether to upgrade my win98SE with the "upgrade"
version of XP home, or to take a chance on an OEM full version for the same
basic price? I know I could drop the money for the full retail version of XP
but I'm trying to avoid that. just looking for opinions.

The OEM version cannot perform an upgrade install, only clean. So if
you want to upgrade Windows 98 to XP Home you really only have one option.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[nb]

Can I get opinions on whether to upgrade my win98SE with the "upgrade"
version of XP home, or to take a chance on an OEM full version for the
same
basic price? I know I could drop the money for the full retail version of
XP
but I'm trying to avoid that. just looking for opinions.

Thank you

If you currently have the 98SE cd then just buy the upgrade version of XP
Home. Purchasing the full version would be a waste of money, they are the
same with the exception of the upgrade requiring proof of a previous
qualifying version.

 

[Guest]

I have a hard drive with nothing on it currently, that I can

1. Install win98SE and buy the "upgrade" of XP-cost $95
2. Buy an OEM version off e-bay and install from scratch-cost $95

my question is which one is generally the better idea?

 

[John Bell]

Is it OEM from Microsoft or OEM from a computer manufacturer. If its from a
manufacturer when you go to validate windows it won't let you because you
won't have the same hardware that is used by the manufacturer.

I would go with the Upgrade and get it brand new so there will be no worries
about legality.

 

[Guest]

sorry, I didnt make myself clear. I have a newly formatted hard drive in a
computer that I can install win98SE on and THEN upgrade to XP with the
upgrade version (cost-$95) or just buy an OEM version and install from
scratch (cost-$95) which is better?

thanks

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I have a hard drive with nothing on it currently, that I can

1. Install win98SE and buy the "upgrade" of XP-cost $95
2. Buy an OEM version off e-bay and install from scratch-cost $95

my question is which one is generally the better idea?

From a support standpoint, purchasing the retail upgrade is better.
Microsoft will support your retail upgrade version. The OEM is
responsible for support OEM versions. In your scenario, you become the
OEM so you will essentially be support yourself. Also, per the OEM
license, once you have installed that version on a machine, you can not
transfer the license to another machine.

If you purchase the upgrade version, there is no need to actually
install Windows 98 before installing XP. During the XP install you can
insert your 98 CD during the upgrade verification check. That is all
that is needed to satisfy the upgrade requirement. So in the end you
have a clean install.

I recommend you go with the upgrade option.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[Bob G]

Either way - If you are starting with a clean unformatted hard drive - DO
NOT Install Win98 First. Even with the upgrade version of XP, you can start
with a clean install of XP and during the install it will ask you to insert
your qualifying OS CD (Win98 in your case).
Bob

 

[Leythos]

sorry, I didnt make myself clear. I have a newly formatted hard drive in a
computer that I can install win98SE on and THEN upgrade to XP with the
upgrade version (cost-$95) or just buy an OEM version and install from
scratch (cost-$95) which is better?

If you have the choice, a fresh install is almost always better than a
Upgrade. In your case, with a clean drive, use the Fresh Install method.

 

[Guest]

my plan was to buy "dell OEM", because I will be putting it on a dell laptop,
all equipment will be dell, except this newly formatted hard drive, which by
all indications is an acceptable change for XP OEM. additionally, I thought
OEM from microsoft was a contrast of terms, the mere fact that it is OEM
means microsoft let someone else sell it. I am unfamiliar with "OEM from
microsoft".

 

[John Bell]

Well either way I would purchase the Xp upgrade. And use the Win98 CD to
show the install that you have a qualified version to upgrade from. You
don't have to install the 98 so like others have said you would have a clean
XP install.

John

 

[Guest]

very helpful, thank you. Now, this begs a question, the win98 I have was
installed on an earlier laptop that was destroyed (long story), will I have
to call MS to explain that, or will there be any ramifications of "reusing"
win98 to verify ownership for XP?

 

[Yves Leclerc]

OEM from Microsoft means that it is just a plain XP version. Most OEMs like
Dell customize the install process to add features/programs.

Here is a few things to consider:

1) OEM for Dell -- you must call Dell for support since Dell is the company
responsible for the support of this version. Since your laptop was not
originally supplied with XP, Dell may be not willing to support it.
Microsoft will not support OEM versions.

2) Product Activation for Dell version must be done by phone. Microsoft has
turned off all Internet activations for the large OEMs (IBM, HP, Dell)
because their OEM versions were being installed on non-corresponding PCs
(sold over eBay to other PC users.)

3) Using the Upgrade version: You must keep your original Windows 98 SE
install CD. This is needed to re-install the XP at any other time you wish
to re-install.

 

[John O]

install win98SE on and THEN upgrade to XP

Don't do that. XP will ask to see the CD for proof of a qualifying upgrade,
and all you need to do is insert the 98 CD for a few moments, then put the
XP CD back in.

-John O

 

[John O]

very helpful, thank you. Now, this begs a question, the win98 I have was
installed on an earlier laptop that was destroyed (long story), will I
have
to call MS to explain that, or will there be any ramifications of
"reusing"
win98 to verify ownership for XP?

Per license agreements, it's a bit dicey. But, you won't have any trouble
with the installation.

-John O

 

[Don MI]

No explanation to Microsoft is necessary provided you have the Windows 98
CD. You insert the Windows 98 CD when asked to allow the installation
programs to continue. Then store it someplace in case you ever need to do
another clean install.

Also, before you upgrade you should check with Dell support and download the
Windows XP drivers you need for your laptop. You should not expect the
drivers for Windows 98 {including those for external hardware such as
printers and scanners} to work with Windows XP.

Don

 

[Richard In Va.]

Hello Strikeu,

A year or so ago, this is what I did without any problems.

Bought a new HD along with Windows XP Upgrade Retail Version ($95).
(OEM versions don't necessarily include all the drivers and misc stuff that
comes on the retail version)
Installed the new HD on IDE #1 (channel 0) as Master device.
Boot into the Bios (Setup) to be sure the BIOS sees the new HD okay.
Change the BIOS Boot order to boot to CD drive first.
Inserted the WinXP Home "upgrade" CD into a CD drive.
Exit the BIOS saving the BIOS settings.
The system should boot via the WinXP CD.
The XP installer will see the new HD and that it is not formatted.
There might be a menu choice for you to make, look for something like "Setup
Hard Drive(s).
(If you want to be REAL safe, unplug any other hard drives that you have in
the case before you begin all this).
Have the WinXP upgrade disk create the partition and format the drive for
you.
I'm assuming you want drive letter "C:" to occupy all of your new HD.
Format using the NTFS file system for XP, FAT and FAT32 are older file
systems used by Win98/WinMe/DOS.
Select "Fast Format" if your HD is new, meaning that it has never been in
another case before.
Unchecking (or leaving unchecked) this choice means that the process will
scan the disk for errors before formatting begins.
The disk scan will take much more time.... But then... this is where your OS
will live.
If the disk is new to you, but a friend/associate had used it prior to
giving it to you, I would opt to scan the disk before formatting.
This being the case, and you find a partition already on the drive, remove
(all) the pre-existing partitions first.
This will clean-up the drive real good for you.
Add the partition to suite your needs and format.
Once the Partition/Format process is through, Let the WinXP home "Upgrade"
disk begin the XP operating system installation.
(Don't remember exactly how it goes, may need to reboot somewhere along the
line)
Have your Windows 98 CD handy. Retail, OEM, Full or upgrade. I don't think
it matters.
Mine was a Win98 OEM upgrade disk...
After the WinXP installation begins, the process will ask to see your Win98
CD.
If you have a 2nd CD drive, insert it there.
If you only have one (1) CD drive, remove the XP CD, insert the Win98 CD,
close the CD door and select the "okay" button.
When it's through checking for a valid OS to upgrade from, it will ask you
for the XP CD so it can continue.
You DO NOT NEED to install Win98 and then install XP on top of it.

This is pretty close to how I remember it.
I hope there is enough good information here that will be useful to you.
(Save your old win98 Hard drive. After a grace period of several months, or
till your certain you've gotten everything off the drive you care about.
Remove the partition form it, reformat it, then install as a second HD.
Maybe use it to store your personal files.)

Best regards,
Richard in Va.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Can I get opinions on whether to upgrade my win98SE with the "upgrade"
version of XP home, or to take a chance on an OEM full version for
the same basic price? I know I could drop the money for the full
retail version of XP but I'm trying to avoid that. just looking for
opinions.

The way you ask that makes me suspect that you don't realize that an Upgrade
version can do a clean installation.

The requirement to use an upgrade version is to *own* a previous qualifying
version's installation CD (with an OEM restore CD, see below), not to have
it installed. When setup doesn't find a previous qualifying version
installed, it will prompt you to insert its CD as proof of ownership. Just
insert the previous version's CD, and follow the prompts. Everything
proceeds quite normally and quite legitimately.



You can also do a clean installation if you have an OEM restore CD of a
previous qualifying version. It's more complicated, but it *can* be done.
First restore from the Restore CD. Then run the XP upgrade CD from within
that restored system, and change from Upgrade to New Install. When it asks
where, press Esc to delete the partition and start over.



If you qualify for the upgrade version (own 98SE) you should certainly get
it. Buying a full version is just a waste of money for you. And certainly
get the Upgrade in preference to an OEM version, since it's more versitile.



Also note that,unlike with previous versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP
replaces almost everything, and usually works very well.



My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much easier
than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and reinstall
cleanly if problems develop.

 

[Plato]

sorry, I didnt make myself clear. I have a newly formatted hard drive in a
computer that I can install win98SE on and THEN upgrade to XP with the
upgrade version (cost-$95) or just buy an OEM version and install from
scratch (cost-$95) which is better?

I often use the latest XP2 retail upgrade disk [$89] to install XP2 to
fresh hard drives. I just put in a win98/winme cd when it asks for proof
of a previous os. Seems to work.

 

[Ron Martell]

I have a hard drive with nothing on it currently, that I can

1. Install win98SE and buy the "upgrade" of XP-cost $95
2. Buy an OEM version off e-bay and install from scratch-cost $95

my question is which one is generally the better idea?

Just install the XP Upgrade version from scratch on the empty hard
drive. Early in the install process you will be asked to insert your
Windows 98 SE disk for a few seconds so as to validate your
eligibility to use the upgrade version. There is no need to actually
install Windows 98 first.

The retail version is much preferable to the OEM version, even the
generic OEM version provided by Microsoft. The reason is that with
the OEM version the license is permanently tied to the first computer
that it is installed on and cannot be legitimately moved to a
different computer even if the first computer is scrapped, destroyed,
lost, or stolen.

Retail versions on the other hand are licensed to the purchaser and
may be moved from computer to computer to computer as you see fit,
provided only that it can never be installed on more than one computer
at any given point in time.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm