Win 98 upgrade

[Guest]

I want to upgrade my Win 98 system to WinXP and would like
to know if I can do this without reformatting the hard
drive? I have reasons not to want to format this drive at
present but will do so at some later date. I think I can
just install WinXP and leave the drives at FAT format but
really want to make certain. Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[RJK]

Yes you can. If installing XP onto a new blank hd, your only choice is
NTSF. If XP detects that W98 is present, you get to keep FAT32.

regards, Richard

 

[Rich Barry]

Yes you can do an upgrade to WinXP without formatting the drive. Before
you attempt it, do a thorough cleaning of Win98. You can download System
Mechanic which will do a good job. It's a free trial for 30 days.
www.iolo.com
Also do a WinXP software and hardware compatability check.
http://www.winxpcentral.com/windowsxp/hardware-compatibility.php

 

[Ken Blake]

In (e-mail address removed)

I want to upgrade my Win 98 system to WinXP and would like
to know if I can do this without reformatting the hard
drive?

Yes, with a retail version of XP. No, with an OEM version.

I have reasons not to want to format this drive at
present but will do so at some later date. I think I can
just install WinXP and leave the drives at FAT format but
really want to make certain.

Yes. NTFS is optional and FAT32 comntinues to be supported.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Yes you can. If installing XP onto a new blank hd, your only choice
is NTSF.

NTFS, not NTSF.

No, that isn't correct. NTFS is the only choice *only* if the
drive is greater than 32GB.

 

[Don Soriano]

I have just upgraded from 98SE to XPHome. Against the
advise of the Compatability Advisor, I did a short cut
(XP over 98) and that was a mistake. I kept getting one
strange problem after another. I ended up fdisking and
reformatting my HDs. I saved most of my important files
and folders via CD-RW. My advise is- start clean.

DonS