Windows ME to XP upgrade path?

[dave]

One of the computers here has Windows ME on it. It is used for a few
Windows tasks, and needs an anti-virus program. Unfortunately, it seems
all the anti-virus programs need a later model of Windows. So my
question is what is the cheapest path to Windows XP? Windows 7 takes
too many resources, so it needs to be XP. Since all the computer needs
to do is run some 98/ME vintage programs and work on the LAN (other
computers with XP & Linux) and share a printer, I guess that the home
edition will work, if that saves money.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[SC Tom]

One of the computers here has Windows ME on it. It is used for a few
Windows tasks, and needs an anti-virus program. Unfortunately, it seems
all the anti-virus programs need a later model of Windows. So my question
is what is the cheapest path to Windows XP? Windows 7 takes too many
resources, so it needs to be XP. Since all the computer needs to do is
run some 98/ME vintage programs and work on the LAN (other computers with
XP & Linux) and share a printer, I guess that the home edition will work,
if that saves money.

Thanks,
Dave

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=antivirus+programs+for+windows+me

Along with what Bill suggested, if you're going to be attaching this PC to a
LAN with internet access, you'll be better off with XP Pro, if for nothing
else than the security. If you're running Windows Server for your domain
controller, you may not be allowed to connect an XP Home PC by your IT
department (unless, of course, you are the IT department )

Before investing in a copy of XP, compare your ME system to what's required
for XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314865
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP#System_requirements

Plus the additional requirements needed to install SP3 (which you will need
to continue getting security updates):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311

 

[Terry R.]

On 8/26/2010 3:20 PM On a whim, SC Tom pounded out on the keyboard

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=antivirus+programs+for+windows+me

Along with what Bill suggested, if you're going to be attaching this PC to a
LAN with internet access, you'll be better off with XP Pro, if for nothing
else than the security. If you're running Windows Server for your domain
controller, you may not be allowed to connect an XP Home PC by your IT
department (unless, of course, you are the IT department )

Before investing in a copy of XP, compare your ME system to what's required
for XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314865
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP#System_requirements

Plus the additional requirements needed to install SP3 (which you will need
to continue getting security updates):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311

Although your link states AntiVir runs on Me, it does not:
http://www.free-av.com/en/pages/22/faq.html
So there may be other links that aren't accurate.


I know ClamWin does, but it doesn't do real time protection.



Terry R.

 

[dave]

Windows XP also takes a fair amount of resources, and given that you're
talking about an older WinME machine, that might also be pushing it. Plus
I'd bet there are still some antivirus programs that would work even with ME
or 98, although they might be slightly older editions. I sure wouldn't do
that operating system upgrade solely for the one reason you gave (if you
really needed to run some Windows XP applications, that might be another
story). But if you insist, you could upgrade ME with a XP Home edition CD,
if it's available, which would (in principle) retain your existing programs.
But a clean install is always a much better idea. In any case, you'd have
to be sure your machine is up to it, and expect there will be some issues
along the way.

The computer is a 1.8 GHz Athlon, 1 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive. According
the the XP specs, it should work ok.

Dave,

 

[mm]

One of the computers here has Windows ME on it. It is used for a few
Windows tasks, and needs an anti-virus program. Unfortunately, it seems
all the anti-virus programs need a later model of Windows. So my
question is what is the cheapest path to Windows XP? Windows 7 takes
too many resources, so it needs to be XP. Since all the computer needs
to do is run some 98/ME vintage programs and work on the LAN (other
computers with XP & Linux) and share a printer, I guess that the home
edition will work, if that saves money.

Thanks,
Dave

IIRC there are still antivirus programs that work in win98/me.

Try microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion

 

[Sunny]

IIRC there are still antivirus programs that work in win98/me.

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

 

[SC Tom]

On 8/26/2010 3:20 PM On a whim, SC Tom pounded out on the keyboard


Although your link states AntiVir runs on Me, it does not:
http://www.free-av.com/en/pages/22/faq.html
So there may be other links that aren't accurate.


I know ClamWin does, but it doesn't do real time protection.



Terry R.

My link doesn't 'state' anything; it's just a Google search. AntiVir was one
of 12,300,000 hits in the link I posted. I'm sure at least one of the other
12,299,999 hits will have one that DOES work with ME

 

[Dave Boland]

I presume you meant 1 GB of RAM, and yes, that sounds good. But why would
you go to all the trouble and hassle (and there most certainly will be a lot
of that) of completely upgrading (or clean installing) another operating
system? JUST because of some antivirus programs?

anti-virus is required. ME is no longer supported. So, XP seems like a
logical way forward. And yes, I meant 1 GB of RAM

Dave,

 

[Dave Boland]

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

The latest Avast DOES NOT work with ME -- I tried it along with a bunch
of others prior to starting this thread.

Dave,

 

[Mint]

anti-virus is required.  ME is no longer supported.  So, XP seems like a
logical way forward.  And yes, I meant 1 GB of RAM

Dave,

XP will run just fine on your system.

I have XP Pro on an old P-3 with 512 Mb ram.

Ebay has XP Pro at some real good prices.

 

[Terry R.]

On 8/27/2010 4:26 AM On a whim, SC Tom pounded out on the keyboard

My link doesn't 'state' anything; it's just a Google search. AntiVir was one
of 12,300,000 hits in the link I posted. I'm sure at least one of the other
12,299,999 hits will have one that DOES work with ME

Yes, a Google search that has Antivir answering the search criteria,
which is wrong. And I gave one of the few AV programs that still
support 98/Me.


Terry R.

 

[Rex]

The computer is a 1.8 GHz Athlon, 1 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive. According
the the XP specs, it should work ok.

Dave,

Heh. Back in 2001, I had a 1 GHz Athlon, 128 MB RAM and 40 GB hard
drive. Ran ME like a breeze. In 2003, I upgraded to 384 MB RAM with XP
and that also ran fine. So you should face no problems with your setup.

 

[Sunny]

The latest Avast DOES NOT work with ME -- I tried it along with a bunch
of others prior to starting this thread.

Dave,

Strange, I have it working and updating on a WinME and Win98SE PCs.
Make sure you download Version 4.8 (old product), not a later version and
"update at least weekly"
http://www.avast.com/download-update
(You also need a "free" licence key, good for 12 months.
HTH

 

[dave]

Strange, I have it working and updating on a WinME and Win98SE PCs.
Make sure you download Version 4.8 (old product), not a later version and
"update at least weekly"
http://www.avast.com/download-update
(You also need a "free" licence key, good for 12 months.
HTH

The computer had Avast, but it is an older version that seems to be no
longer supported (v. 4 I believe). It stopped working, and the latest
version won't install -- complains about needing a more modern version
of Windows. I have no problem using an older version as long as it
works. The problem is finding an older version that works with ME and
still gets anti-virus updates. I'm not optimistic, but ever hopeful.

Dave,

 

[Chuck]

The computer had Avast, but it is an older version that seems to be no
longer supported (v. 4 I believe). It stopped working, and the latest
version won't install -- complains about needing a more modern version
of Windows. I have no problem using an older version as long as it
works. The problem is finding an older version that works with ME and
still gets anti-virus updates. I'm not optimistic, but ever hopeful.

Dave,

The real problem is that MS has virtually discontinued the availability
of XP. You may have quite a time finding a valid usable copy.