Windows XP upgrade installation

[cvega1]

Can I load the Upgrade version of XP on a computer that I
purchased at a Computer show that currently has Windows 98
SE? The software disk for 98 SE was not given to me when
I purchased it and is registerd in the System to an OEM
License No. If it possible, will Microsoft require me to
be the owner of the OEM Licence even though it was a part
of the computer when I purchased it. Also,if my computer
crashed, would I be able to use the Upgrade software for
Windows XP to configure the new motherboard,hard drive,
etc.?

 

[Jim Macklin]

You can upgrade the OEM, you bought the license when you
bought the hardware. If the hard drive crashes and you have
to reinstall you will need some way to show that you are
licensed to use the upgrade CD. You can use ANY W95 or
newer desktop full install CD as proof.

Some computers only have the hard drive with a hidden
partition to use for OS repair. Many no longer ship a real
Windows CD.


message | Can I load the Upgrade version of XP on a computer that I
| purchased at a Computer show that currently has Windows 98
| SE? The software disk for 98 SE was not given to me when
| I purchased it and is registerd in the System to an OEM
| License No. If it possible, will Microsoft require me to
| be the owner of the OEM Licence even though it was a part
| of the computer when I purchased it. Also,if my computer
| crashed, would I be able to use the Upgrade software for
| Windows XP to configure the new motherboard,hard drive,
| etc.?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

Can I load the Upgrade version of XP on a computer that I
purchased at a Computer show that currently has Windows 98
SE? The software disk for 98 SE was not given to me when
I purchased it and is registerd in the System to an OEM
License No. If it possible, will Microsoft require me to
be the owner of the OEM Licence even though it was a part
of the computer when I purchased it. Also,if my computer
crashed, would I be able to use the Upgrade software for
Windows XP to configure the new motherboard,hard drive,
etc.?

You shouldn't have any problem upgrading over the top of 98SE.
But if the computer crashes and you ever need to clean install,
you will need a CD of a previous qualifying version (95 or later)
to insert as proof of ownership when prompted to do so.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Can I load the Upgrade version of XP on a computer that I
purchased at a Computer show that currently has Windows 98
SE? The software disk for 98 SE was not given to me when
I purchased it and is registerd in the System to an OEM
License No. If it possible, will Microsoft require me to
be the owner of the OEM Licence even though it was a part
of the computer when I purchased it.

All the setup will be interested in is that there is the Windows 98
being present. So you can boot it and run the XP Upgrade from it.
First make sure the machine is adequate - at least a 400Mhz CPU -
preferably more; and more than the 'recommended' 128MB of RAM.

Read Gary Woodruff's article on upgrading to XP at
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

If it ever comes to a full reinstall you have to have evidence of the
qualifying product. I *think* in fact that if you were to run the CD
from the XP system, taking Install and changing Upgrade to New install,
then hit ESC and delete the present partition and make a new one, it
would by that time be satisfied that it was a legitimate upgraded system
and carry on (it certainly is if you do that from the 98), but I have no
positive confirmation

 

[Gary Tait]

Can I load the Upgrade version of XP on a computer that I
purchased at a Computer show that currently has Windows 98
SE? The software disk for 98 SE was not given to me when
I purchased it and is registerd in the System to an OEM
License No. If it possible, will Microsoft require me to
be the owner of the OEM Licence even though it was a part
of the computer when I purchased it. Also,if my computer
crashed, would I be able to use the Upgrade software for
Windows XP to configure the new motherboard,hard drive,
etc.?

If you got no COA with that PC, you should consider that a PC with no
OS, and therefore must use the full install.