Windows XP/SP2 upgrade from 98

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Can someone tell me if Xp w/SP2 upgrade will install over 98 cleanly? I want
to use some newer software that won't run on 98. Thanks for any advice.
 
huntley56 said:
Can someone tell me if Xp w/SP2 upgrade will install over 98 cleanly? I want
to use some newer software that won't run on 98. Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...


WinXP is designed to install and upgrade the existing operating
system while simultaneously preserving your applications and data, and
translating as many personalized settings as possible. The process is
designed to be, and normally is, quite painless. That said, things
can go wrong, in a small number of cases. If your data is at all
important to you, back it up before proceeding.

Have you made sure that your PC's hardware components are capable
of supporting WinXP? This information will be found at the PC's
manufacturer's web site, and on Microsoft's Windows Catalog:
(http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx) Additionally, run
Microsoft WinXP Upgrade Advisor to see if you have any incompatible
hardware components or applications.

You should, before proceeding, take a few minutes to ensure that
there are WinXP device drivers available for all of the machine's
components. There may not be, if the PC was specifically designed for
Win98/Me. Also bear in mind that PCs designed for, sold and run fine
with Win9x/Me very often do not meet WinXP's much more stringent
hardware quality requirements. This is particularly true of many
models in Compaq's consumer-class Presario product line or HP's
consumer-class Pavilion product line. WinXP, like WinNT and Win2K
before it, is quite sensitive to borderline defective or substandard
hardware (particularly motherboards, RAM and hard drives) that will
still support Win9x.

HOW TO Prepare to Upgrade Win98 or WinMe
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316639

Upgrading to Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

If you do perform an in-place upgrade from an earlier edition of
Windows, and the Office applications are already installed, you'll
likely have to repair or reinstall them, so they can add the necessary
additional functions needed for use on a multi-user OS. It may be
sufficient to simply insert the respective installation CD and select
the "Detect and Repair" option.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
In
huntley56 said:
Can someone tell me if Xp w/SP2 upgrade will install over 98
cleanly?
Click to expand...


If you use either a Full version or an Upgrade version (but not
an OEM version), yes, you can upgrade over the top of Windows 98.
Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost everything,
and usually works very well.

My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much
easier than a clean installation. You can always change your mind
and reinstall cleanly if problems develop.

However, don't assume that doing an upgrade relieves you of the
need to backup your data, etc. before beginning. Before starting
to upgrade, it's always prudent to recognize that things like a
sudden power loss can occur in the middle of it and cause the
loss of everything. For that reason you should make sure you have
backups and anything else you need to reinstall if the worst
happens.
 
thanks. I am getting a new machine and want to give the old one to someone
else with some modifications. My old one has windows 98 and I want to upgrade
it to windows XP. I'll give your suggestions a try.
 
In
Kathy S said:
thanks. I am getting a new machine and want to give the old one
to
someone else with some modifications. My old one has windows 98
and I
want to upgrade it to windows XP. I'll give your suggestions a
try.
Click to expand...



OK, but note two things:

1. If you're giving away your old computer, realize that you
can't use the copy of Windows that comes with your new computer
(or that you bought for it) on the old one. You need a separate
copy for each computer.

2. If I got a used computer, the first thing I would do with it
would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. Nothing
personal, but I would have no idea how the computer has been
maintained, what has been installed incorrectly, what is missing,
what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to
live with somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of
kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do
either. Despite what I said about trying the upgrade in my
earlier message, thia is the one situation where I would *always*
do a clean installation.


So instead of upgrading it to Windows XP, why not just format the
drive, buy a copy of XP for the person you're giving it to, and
let him install it himself.
 

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