Windows XP

[USABOB45]

Hi! ...I now have Windows 98. I've never had a problem with it, but Microsoft
has ended updates for 98 & it seems others are following suit. I am thinking
of upgrading to Windows XP. I see there is a "Windows XP Home Edition ...OEM
Version" that gives you the disc, but no instructions...Is it something I
should concider purchasing and installing? I would rather use a complete
install than just the upgrade. Can anyone help??

 

[Rock]

Hi! ...I now have Windows 98. I've never had a problem with it, but Microsoft
has ended updates for 98 & it seems others are following suit. I am thinking
of upgrading to Windows XP. I see there is a "Windows XP Home Edition ...OEM
Version" that gives you the disc, but no instructions...Is it something I
should concider purchasing and installing? I would rather use a complete
install than just the upgrade. Can anyone help??

OEM versions can only do a clean install - they cannot upgrade. There
are some limitations in the license for an OEM version which you need to
be aware of. That is why the cost is less than a retail version.

The most significant limitation is that OEM versions cannot be moved to
another computer. Once it is installed on the first system, by the
license, it's tied to that system. It can't be moved to another
computer or , sold, or transferred to another party. Another limitation
is that there is no free support from MS. That may or may not be
important to you. The retail version comes with, I believe, 3 free
support calls.

Be aware, though that a retail upgrade version to XP Home is only a bit
more expensive than the OEM but then it can be moved to another computer
(if taken off the first one), and has the support calls. Also an
upgrade version can do either an upgrade or a clean install. For the
clean install boot with the installation CD, and it will ask for proof
you have a qualifying product. Insert your Win 98 CD which it will
accept as proof, then do a clean install.

The upgrade from Win 98 works pretty well providing the hardware is
compatible and the system is running well with no glitches or malware.
That way data and programs are preserved. Make sure you run the upgrade
advisor.

Here is a link with help on upgrading.

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi! ...I now have Windows 98. I've never had a problem with it, but
Microsoft has ended updates for 98 & it seems others are following
suit. I am thinking of upgrading to Windows XP. I see there is a
"Windows XP Home Edition ...OEM Version" that gives you the disc, but
no instructions...Is it something I should concider purchasing and
installing? I would rather use a complete install than just the
upgrade. Can anyone help??

I almost always recommend the Retail Upgrade version instead of the OEM one,
because almost anyone
either has a previous qualifying version, or can buy a used copy of Windows
98 very cheaply--for far less than the difference in price for the Full
version.

And note that the Upgrade version *can* do a clean installation. All you
need is a CD of a previous qualifying verion (windows 98, for example) to
show it when prompted to do so.

What I *don't* recommend is buying an OEM copy, since they are usually
around the same price as an Upgrade copy and come with several restrictions,
the most severe of which is that its license ties it permanently to the
firstcomputer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved to another
computer, sold, or given away. .

 

[Dan]

Hi! ...I now have Windows 98. I've never had a problem with it, but Microsoft
has ended updates for 98 & it seems others are following suit. I am thinking
of upgrading to Windows XP. I see there is a "Windows XP Home Edition ...OEM
Version" that gives you the disc, but no instructions...Is it something I
should concider purchasing and installing? I would rather use a complete
install than just the upgrade. Can anyone help??

Will your system support XP well and do you need XP are the questions
you need to ask yourself. The 98 general newsgroup is alive and well
and according to a recent article 98(SE) is #3 in use world-wide.

#1 -- Win. XP = 86.80%
#2 -- 2000 = 6.09%
#3 -- 98SE(and/or 98) = 2.68%

 

[USABOB45 via WindowsKB.com]

OEM versions can only do a clean install - they cannot upgrade. There
are some limitations in the license for an OEM version which you need to
be aware of. That is why the cost is less than a retail version.

The most significant limitation is that OEM versions cannot be moved to
another computer. Once it is installed on the first system, by the
license, it's tied to that system. It can't be moved to another
computer or , sold, or transferred to another party. Another limitation
is that there is no free support from MS. That may or may not be
important to you. The retail version comes with, I believe, 3 free
support calls.

Be aware, though that a retail upgrade version to XP Home is only a bit
more expensive than the OEM but then it can be moved to another computer
(if taken off the first one), and has the support calls. Also an
upgrade version can do either an upgrade or a clean install. For the
clean install boot with the installation CD, and it will ask for proof
you have a qualifying product. Insert your Win 98 CD which it will
accept as proof, then do a clean install.

The upgrade from Win 98 works pretty well providing the hardware is
compatible and the system is running well with no glitches or malware.
That way data and programs are preserved. Make sure you run the upgrade
advisor.

Here is a link with help on upgrading.

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

Rock: The problem I have is that I "Do Not" have my disc or registration
number for my Windows 98 OS. They both were lost some time ago. I've had this
Windows 98 for quite a while. What is the best way to go now?

Thanks

 

[Rock]

USABOB45 via WindowsKB.com wrote:

Rock: The problem I have is that I "Do Not" have my disc or registration
number for my Windows 98 OS. They both were lost some time ago. I've had this
Windows 98 for quite a while. What is the best way to go now?

Thanks

You don't need the CD key for the qualifying product, just the CD.
Borrow one from a friend or buy a used copy on Ebay. They are cheap.
Next time keep your original software media and CD keys in a safe place.

 

[USABOB45 via WindowsKB.com]

You don't need the CD key for the qualifying product, just the CD.
Borrow one from a friend or buy a used copy on Ebay. They are cheap.
Next time keep your original software media and CD keys in a safe place.

Rock...Thanks for the info!

 

[USABOB45 via WindowsKB.com]

Hi! ...I now have Windows 98. I've never had a problem with it, but
Microsoft has ended updates for 98 & it seems others are following

[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]

installing? I would rather use a complete install than just the
upgrade. Can anyone help??

I almost always recommend the Retail Upgrade version instead of the OEM one,
because almost anyone
either has a previous qualifying version, or can buy a used copy of Windows
98 very cheaply--for far less than the difference in price for the Full
version.

And note that the Upgrade version *can* do a clean installation. All you
need is a CD of a previous qualifying verion (windows 98, for example) to
show it when prompted to do so.

What I *don't* recommend is buying an OEM copy, since they are usually
around the same price as an Upgrade copy and come with several restrictions,
the most severe of which is that its license ties it permanently to the
firstcomputer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved to another
computer, sold, or given away. .

Ken...thanks for your help!

 

[USABOB45 via WindowsKB.com]

Will your system support XP well and do you need XP are the questions
you need to ask yourself. The 98 general newsgroup is alive and well
and according to a recent article 98(SE) is #3 in use world-wide.

#1 -- Win. XP = 86.80%
#2 -- 2000 = 6.09%
#3 -- 98SE(and/or 98) = 2.68%

Thanks Dan!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
Ken...thanks for your help!

You're welcome. Glad to help.

 

[Rock]

Rock...Thanks for the info!

You're welcome.

 

[Dan]

Thanks Dan!

You are most welcome.