Windows XP SB 2

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My computer has Windows 98. I do not know which version i have installed or
how to find this out. I do know that I will have to upgrade my computer but
I thought that for now I could just install the above operating system which
i have seen advertised on ebay for around £60. How do i find out what the
above OS requires so that I know whether my current computer has enough of
everything to install and run it? As you can tell I am a real novice with
computers. I want to be able to buy an ipod and my Windows 98 does not allow
it i am told. Can anyone please help me, i would be most grateful. Secondly
I have been told to buy a dell computer next but how can i compare them with
other makes etc?
 
Mike said:
My computer has Windows 98. I do not know which version i have installed or
how to find this out. I do know that I will have to upgrade my computer but
I thought that for now I could just install the above operating system which
i have seen advertised on ebay for around £60. How do i find out what the
above OS requires so that I know whether my current computer has enough of
everything to install and run it? As you can tell I am a real novice with
computers. I want to be able to buy an ipod and my Windows 98 does not allow
it i am told. Can anyone please help me, i would be most grateful. Secondly
I have been told to buy a dell computer next but how can i compare them with
other makes etc?
Click to expand...

There are different "flavors" of Windows XP. The items you see for
around £60 are probably so-called "OEM" versions. These are intended to
be used by an "Original Equipment Manufacturer" -- someone who builds a
computer, installs the operating system, and then sells the unit. Dell,
for example, is an OEM, and its computers come with Windows already
installed.

There is nothing wrong or illegal with an end-user, such as you,
purchasing and installing an OEM version of Windows XP, but you should
be aware that there are some limitations. See, for example
http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/070426 and scroll down the page to
"Save money using OEM software"

An OEM copy of Windows XP sp2 should be sufficient for you, but if you
wanted the (legal) ability to transfer it to a subsequent computer and
the ability to get some installation support from Microsoft, you could
buy the upgrade version because your Windows 98 qualifies for this
discount.

If you are affiliated with a school or university, you might be able to
get a "full" upgrade version for even less than an OEM version:
http://www.genstar.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=195
http://www.goto.dealtime.co.uk/xGS-Windows_XP_Academic_Upgrade~NS-1~linkin_id-8000945

As for whether your current computer can handle XP, see

Minimum hardware requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx
Also see
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_9xupgrade.asp

If your hardware is OK, read at least the first several paragraphs (at
least down to the heading "XP Boot Floppy Set") of
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Then copy any data you want to save to an external device (such as
burning it to CDs). An upgrade install (if you that's what you do) is
supposed to save your data, but better safe than sorry.

If you buy an upgrade version, you can perform an "inplace upgrade"
(also known as a "repair install") that ideally, will not destroy your
data. See http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xp_in_place_upgrade.htm

If you buy an OEM version, you will have to do a "clean install"
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
 
"Mike is a novice! Sorry." <Mike is a novice!
(e-mail address removed)> wrote in message
My computer has Windows 98. I do not know which version i have installed
or
how to find this out. I do know that I will have to upgrade my computer
but
I thought that for now I could just install the above operating system
which
i have seen advertised on ebay for around £60. How do i find out what the
above OS requires so that I know whether my current computer has enough of
everything to install and run it? As you can tell I am a real novice with
computers. I want to be able to buy an ipod and my Windows 98 does not
allow
it i am told. Can anyone please help me, i would be most grateful.
Secondly
I have been told to buy a dell computer next but how can i compare them
with
other makes etc?
Click to expand...

You can buy XP on eBay, but you are taking a risk. The risk is that the
copy may turn out to be pirated or previously installed and activated (you
must activate XP) and that previous activation will prevent you from
activating your install - hence your system is rendered useless.

Your system probably qualifies for use of an upgrade, and I see those for
about CDN$130 in retail stores, not too far off the sixty pounds you see on
eBay. And a sealed pack from a retail store is guaranteed to NOT carry the
activation or piracy risks.

You can also find "OEM" versions, which are intended for people who are
building new systems; these have a lot less packaging, carry no support from
Microsoft, and hence are a bit cheaper. But, you cannot use these for
upgrading your Windows 98 installation. You can only use them on a new
system, or to repair the installation you did with that disk.

And as you realize, before you do anything, you really need to determine if
your system can be upgraded.

On the XP CD, and you can borrow one for this, is a tool called the Upgrade
Advisor. This can also be downloaded from Microsoft, though at 50
megabytes it's a rather large download. If you don't have a broadband
connection and enough drive space, find a friend or an internet cafe who
will download this and burn it to CD for you.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx

It will examine your system, hardware and software, and tell you what will
work and what won't. Take it seriously, and remove whatever won't work
before you try an upgrade. This will usually include antivrus, firewall,
and CD burning software. If you don't remove these, your system can turn
out to be completely unstable after the upgrade, to the point where you have
to wipe it and start over. And that's not a result you want.

Dells are normally fine, and most computers these days are comparatively
very high powered compared to what you have now. The one thing to watch
for is the install media, if any, that comes with a system. If there isn't
any, there should be a way to make one, burning it to CD.

Preferred is that the system comes with an install CD for Windows. Many
do not these days, largely as a cost-saving measure. If you get a system
like this, figure out as soon as you get it how you will be able to restore
it should Windows crash badly or the drive fail. And then make the CD,
perhaps two copies, and store them safely.

If the restore scheme depends entirely on the hard disk (usually in the form
of a "restore partition"), and doesn't give you any way to make CDs, don't
buy that machine. Drives *do* fail, rendering all partitions equally
inaccessible; in this failry common scenario, the restore partition concept
is a cruel joke at your expense.

And if there is no install or restore CD, not only do you have to buy a new
hard disk, you have to buy a new XP license. So, saving a few dollars now
can cost you hundreds later. Of course, that's not a cost the
manufacturer sees - only you.

One other option, which you may not be comfortable with, is looking at used
systems. Often you have to piece these together, and warranties are
short - you need to know what you're looking at - but you can find some
quite reasonable deals on systems that aren't that old and are plenty
powerful for most needs.

HTH
-pk
 
"Mike is a novice! Sorry." <Mike is a novice!
(e-mail address removed)> wrote in message
My computer has Windows 98. I do not know which version i have installed
or
how to find this out. I do know that I will have to upgrade my computer
but
I thought that for now I could just install the above operating system
which
i have seen advertised on ebay for around £60. How do i find out what the
above OS requires so that I know whether my current computer has enough of
everything to install and run it? As you can tell I am a real novice with
computers. I want to be able to buy an ipod and my Windows 98 does not
allow
it i am told. Can anyone please help me, i would be most grateful.
Secondly
I have been told to buy a dell computer next but how can i compare them
with
other makes etc?
Click to expand...


It's SP2 not SB2. Also I recommend not buying XP on eBay. The chances of
getting a pirated copy is high. Since you have Win98, that is a qualifying
product for the use of a retail Upgrade version of XP. This can do either
an in place upgrade or a clean install where you'll need to insert the Win98
CD when prompted during the XP installation to show proof of ownership.

The cost of the upgrade version is comparable to the cost of a generic XP
OEM version, and has other advantages such as being transferrable to a
different computer.

See this link for info on upgrading from Win98 to XP.

Upgrading to WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION or PROFESSIONAL
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm
 
Thank you for all of this information. I shall look for a retail upgrade
once i have checked out the upgrade advisor as you recommend. thank you also
for the information relating to installation disks. i had assumed that one
was always supplied. Mike Phillips
 
Very helpful thank you. I will definately look for the retail upgrade now as
long as my current computer has the required specification. Mike Phillips
 
Very helpful thank you. I will definately look for the retail upgrade now
as
long as my current computer has the required specification. Mike Phillips
Click to expand...

<snip>

You're welcome.
 
Thank you for taking so much trouble to reply to my questions. I really
appreciate the effort that you have made on my behalf. I only hope that I
can repay others in the future in a similar way.

I will check out all of the addreses that you have provided.

what is your view on dell computers in comparison to other makes etc? Is PC
Advisor the best magazine for me to learn more about PC's and what is
happening now and in the future etc?

Mike Phillips
 
Mike is a novice! Sorry. said:
Thank you for all of this information. I shall look for a retail upgrade
once i have checked out the upgrade advisor as you recommend. thank you
also
for the information relating to installation disks. i had assumed that
one
was always supplied. Mike Phillips
Click to expand...

Yes, that's a common misconception, and it is not exactly used as a
marketing tool.

HTH
-pk

<snippage>
 
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