Which Windows XP Pro OS to use?

[shawn]

I am building a new computer and would like to install
Microsoft Windows XP Pro as the OS. So far I have found
the software in an OEM version, retail version and an
upgrade (for windows 98 and up). I have an older
computer with Windows 98 on it and on a quick restore disk
so I have the license. Can I move windows 98 from my old
machine using the restore disk to my new machine and do
the XP pro upgrade? Is it possible to do a clean install
with the XP Pro upgrade on the new system using the
windows 98 numbers if I uninstall 98 from the old system?
If you have any other suggestions please let me know.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

The OEM version will only do a clean install, it will not do an upgrade.

The Upgrade version will work on an existing operating system as an upgrade,
or you can insert a fully installable (not "recovery") CD during setup, as
proof of eligibility, and do a clean install. You can't just use the CD
key, it wants a CD for proof.

The full retail version will do upgrades, or clean installs.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The fact that your Win98 installation is on a "quick restore disk"
indicates that the license is an OEM one. As such, this license
cannot legitimately be transferred to the new computer to be used to
qualify for the upgrade. (An OEM license is _permanently_ bound to
the first computer on which it is installed, and is not transferable
to another computer under any circumstances.)

This leave you with the options of buying (a) a second-hand retail
Win98 license to use as a qualifier for the WinXP Upgrade, (b) a full
retail license for WinXP, or (c) an OEM license.


Bruce Chambers

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