Upgrade to XP from Win95->98SE upgrade?

B

Bill Mathews

I note that some retail sites (e.g. BestBuy) state that the upgrade editions
of XP require a _full_ version of a qualifying OS.

My computers were originally Win95. I then upgraded to 98 and then 98SE.

So the only _full_ OS CD I have is for 95. The 98 CDs are upgrades only.

Am I correct in thinking that therefore I _cannot_ use an upgrade version of
XP to upgrade - i.e., keep apps, etc.?

(I gather from what I've read elsewhere that there are workarounds to let
one do a clean install, but that's another matter. I also realize that
upgrading older systems may not be a good idea. Right now, though, all I'm
concerned about is whether it's possible. If it's not, then whether it's a
good idea is irrelevant.)

Thanks,
Bill
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

As long as you have either a "full version" or an "upgrade version"
of a Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME installation CD, you qualify
for using an "upgrade version" of Windows XP. You may upgrade
over an existing Windows 98/ME installation or perform a "clean
install".

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| I note that some retail sites (e.g. BestBuy) state that the upgrade editions
| of XP require a _full_ version of a qualifying OS.
|
| My computers were originally Win95. I then upgraded to 98 and then 98SE.
|
| So the only _full_ OS CD I have is for 95. The 98 CDs are upgrades only.
|
| Am I correct in thinking that therefore I _cannot_ use an upgrade version of
| XP to upgrade - i.e., keep apps, etc.?
|
| (I gather from what I've read elsewhere that there are workarounds to let
| one do a clean install, but that's another matter. I also realize that
| upgrading older systems may not be a good idea. Right now, though, all I'm
| concerned about is whether it's possible. If it's not, then whether it's a
| good idea is irrelevant.)
|
| Thanks,
| Bill
|
|
 
R

Ron Martell

Bill Mathews said:
I note that some retail sites (e.g. BestBuy) state that the upgrade editions
of XP require a _full_ version of a qualifying OS.

My computers were originally Win95. I then upgraded to 98 and then 98SE.

So the only _full_ OS CD I have is for 95. The 98 CDs are upgrades only.

Am I correct in thinking that therefore I _cannot_ use an upgrade version of
XP to upgrade - i.e., keep apps, etc.?

(I gather from what I've read elsewhere that there are workarounds to let
one do a clean install, but that's another matter. I also realize that
upgrading older systems may not be a good idea. Right now, though, all I'm
concerned about is whether it's possible. If it's not, then whether it's a
good idea is irrelevant.)

Thanks,
Bill

You should have no problem upgrading your existing Windows 98 to
Windows XP.

See former MVP Gary Woodruff's article on upgrading to XP at
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm for some useful tips and
checklists regarding the upgrade process.

If you decide to do a clean install with your upgrade version of XP
then any of your 98SE Upgrade, 98 Upgrade, or 95 Full (OEM?) versions
will suffice for use as the "qualifying product" for the install.

Good luck


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

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
B

BobDelaney

Any computer old enough to have been running Windows 95 is a very
unlikely candidate for an XP Upgrade. As a rule of thumb, you'll want a
P-III or better, with 256 MB of RAM or more, and at least a 10 GB hard disk
to really get performance out of Windows XP. If your systems don't meet this
spec, take them to Windows 98 SE and no further.
If, however, they do, then a clean install of Windows XP using an upgrade
CD (one separate license per computer, mind you) will run just fine swapping
in and out a Windows 98 Upgrade CD.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top