Upgrading to Windows XP w/ limited hard drive space

[Guest]

Hi,
I need to upgrade my PC from Windows 98 to XP, but I don't have enough hard
drive space. Is it possible to add a second hard drive and then install XP
on the new hard drive? If so, will I run into any problems doing this? Are
there any alternatives?
Thank you,
Tim-Coffee289

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I need to upgrade my PC from Windows 98 to XP, but I don't have
enough hard drive space. Is it possible to add a second hard drive
and then install XP on the new hard drive? If so, will I run into
any problems doing this? Are there any alternatives?

Purchase your larger hard drive. (Make sure the hardware supports what you
purchase and install.)
Take out the old drive completely.
Disconnect your computer from the Internet.
Install the new hard drive and install Windows XP.
Once you have Windows XP Installed and the Firewall on, connect to the
Internet and update to SP2 at least.
Update all hardware drivers from the hardware manufacturer.
Put your old hard drive back in the machine as a SLAVE drive..
Copy your data off of it onto your new drive.
Install your old applications (Office apps, etc) onto your new install of
Windows XP.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP]

Hi,
I need to upgrade my PC from Windows 98 to XP, but I don't have
enough hard drive space. Is it possible to add a second hard drive
and then install XP on the new hard drive? If so, will I run into
any problems doing this? Are there any alternatives?
Thank you,
Tim-Coffee289

Yes, you can install WinXP on a second drive and retain your current OS on
the C: drive.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Tim,

Yes you can do that. But what is your objective here?

If you want a new installation of WinXP, then simply add the hard drive,
boot Win98, insert the WinXP CD and follow the new installation path,
pointing to the new drive as the destination. This will result in a dual
boot situation where you will be able to use and run either operating
system. This may have advantages if some of your older software or devices
are not supported under WinXP, or if you are unsure if your system is
sufficient to run WinXP well (it requires a lot of overhead, minimum specs
give minimal performance).

If you want an upgrade to Win98, this is what I would do: Install the new
drive, partition and format at least a primary DOS partition in FAT32. Then
use the software that comes with the drive (most do, if not then check the
drive maker's web site for a free utility) to copy the Win98 installation
from its existing location to the new drive. Then shutdown and set the new
drive as the master, removing the old drive for now. Boot Win98, make sure
everything loads. Then insert the WinXP CD and follow the upgrade path.
After installation is complete, you can reattach the old drive as a slave
for storage.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org