Upgrading to XP Home from 98SE

[Guest]

Is it possible to just buy the upgrade version of this XP Home? Is there
anything special I need to watch for if I can? I have seem the XP&SP2 on the
web for $77.00 dollars with the COLA, is this OK.Her PC is a new build an is
PC 2700 AMD. Thanks all for your wisdom an help.JJ

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Is it possible to just buy the upgrade version of this XP Home? Is there
anything special I need to watch for if I can? I have seem the XP&SP2 on
the
web for $77.00 dollars with the COLA, is this OK.Her PC is a new build an
is
PC 2700 AMD. Thanks all for your wisdom an help.JJ

I've done this recently with a couple of Win98SE systems. IIRC the
shrink-wrapped upgrade box was at retail CDN$120 or so, not so far from
US$77.

You must run the "upgrade advisor" from the CD and pay close attention to
what it says.

Before running the upgrade itself, remove completely any questionable or
OS-specific application versions, such as anti-virus or firewalls. I found
that in particular, Zone Alarm had to be removed or the upgrade was
extremely unstable and ultimately unstartable. Get the 98 install as
simple as you can - just the things to support the user data, which you have
of course backed up.

Clean installs are best but will require a qualifying CD proving upgrade
qualification. The install will ask for that CD and then tell you to put
the XP CD back in, and will proceed.

HTH
-pk

 

[John John]

The real McCoy is here: http://tinyurl.com/q3cku

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Is it possible to just buy the upgrade version of this XP Home?

Yes, certainly. If you own a previous qualifying version, it's the best way
to get it.

Is
there anything special I need to watch for if I can?

Just be sure you're buying from a reputable source. I would avoid foreign
companies and sellers on eBay.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Is it possible to just buy the upgrade version of this XP Home?

Yes, certainly.

Is there
anything special I need to watch for if I can?

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 verified that all of 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)

You should also take a few minutes to ensure that there are
WinXP-specific 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

I have seem the XP&SP2 on the
web for $77.00 dollars with the COLA, is this OK.

No way of knowing. It might be a legitimate Upgrade license, or not.
To be safe, go to a reputable local merchant. The fact that it's
advertised as with CoA (I presume that's what you meant; "cola" is a
soft drink) makes me suspicious; a legitimate merchant wouldn't feel the
need to make that claim.



--

Bruce Chambers

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