Win98 to Win XP Pro

[SCOTT]

Greetings -

Has anyone experienced any issues with upgrading Win98SE to WinXp Pro? I
have run into too many problems in the past attempting the Win98>Win2K and
I know better now.

Just wondering if WinXP has the same problems or known "bugs" to upgrade
from Win98SE.

Your suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated.
Scott

 

[T.C.]

Before upgrading run the Compatibility Advisor on the Windows XP CD. The
usual problems are old versions of utilities like antivirus software or
CDR/CD-RW or DVD software which might not be Windows XP compatible. Also
some components like older scanners might not have Windows XP compatible
drivers available, and become paperweights. If you have older components,
make sure that Windows XP drivers are available before you upgrade (that is
if you can't afford to replace the component AND you need use of it). Often
a Windows 2000 driver will work with Windows XP. I upgraded an older Compaq
Deskpro from Windows 98 SE to Windows XP (clean install) and was surprised
that the Windows XP CD had native drivers for all of the proprietary Compaq
hardware and installed them during setup. It was a painless upgrade.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Problems and bugs are almost always related to compatibility issues. Start
with the compatibility wizard and run it on your present setup. If you
already have the XP CD, just place it in the drive, when the setup screen
appears, select "Check System Compatibility." If you don't have the CD, go
to the following site and download the upgrade advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

Do not overlook anything or consider anything it suggests as trivial or
minor as any such things can either stop the installation or be an issue
when installed after XP setup. Any firewalls, CD burning software,
antivirus and disk tools will have to be updated to the latest versions. Be
sure there are XP drivers for all your hardware, do not assume Win2K drivers
will work and have all such drivers already downloaded and available to you
before moving to XP.

Note that you may find updated drivers for your scanner but understand, the
original software bundle for that scanner is likely not to work or won't
install on XP even if an XP upgrade installation picked up the software and
that software will likely cause problems and crashing so use the drivers
only and dispense with the software.

You can check compatibility of some items at the following site but
understand, each system is different and you may have other items on your
setup that can cause conflicts:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/compat.asp

All that said, you will most likely take a performance hit. XP is extremely
graphics intensive and you may not be satisfied with your system performance
after the upgrade.

 

[SCOTT]

Thanks for the advice/tips.

Before upgrading run the Compatibility Advisor on the Windows XP CD. The
usual problems are old versions of utilities like antivirus software or
CDR/CD-RW or DVD software which might not be Windows XP compatible. Also
some components like older scanners might not have Windows XP compatible
drivers available, and become paperweights. If you have older components,
make sure that Windows XP drivers are available before you upgrade (that is
if you can't afford to replace the component AND you need use of it). Often
a Windows 2000 driver will work with Windows XP. I upgraded an older Compaq
Deskpro from Windows 98 SE to Windows XP (clean install) and was surprised
that the Windows XP CD had native drivers for all of the proprietary Compaq
hardware and installed them during setup. It was a painless upgrade.
--
T.C.
Pay it forward...
t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com
Delete [REMOVE] from email address to respond by email

Greetings -

Has anyone experienced any issues with upgrading Win98SE to WinXp Pro? I
have run into too many problems in the past attempting the Win98>Win2K and
I know better now.

Just wondering if WinXP has the same problems or known "bugs" to upgrade
from Win98SE.

Your suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated.
Scott

 

[SCOTT]

Thanks for the advice/tips.

Problems and bugs are almost always related to compatibility issues. Start
with the compatibility wizard and run it on your present setup. If you
already have the XP CD, just place it in the drive, when the setup screen
appears, select "Check System Compatibility." If you don't have the CD, go
to the following site and download the upgrade advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

Do not overlook anything or consider anything it suggests as trivial or
minor as any such things can either stop the installation or be an issue
when installed after XP setup. Any firewalls, CD burning software,
antivirus and disk tools will have to be updated to the latest versions. Be
sure there are XP drivers for all your hardware, do not assume Win2K drivers
will work and have all such drivers already downloaded and available to you
before moving to XP.

Note that you may find updated drivers for your scanner but understand, the
original software bundle for that scanner is likely not to work or won't
install on XP even if an XP upgrade installation picked up the software and
that software will likely cause problems and crashing so use the drivers
only and dispense with the software.

You can check compatibility of some items at the following site but
understand, each system is different and you may have other items on your
setup that can cause conflicts:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/compat.asp

All that said, you will most likely take a performance hit. XP is extremely
graphics intensive and you may not be satisfied with your system performance
after the upgrade.


--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You're welcome.