upgrading to XP

[n7of9]

the first time i tried to upgrade from WIN98 to XP, the hardware compatibility advisor told me that (amongst other things like my modem) my microsoft intellimouse would be incompatible...i got p*ssed at this (cause its a MICROSOFT mouse, der!!), and promptly took the disc out

that was about 1 year go....i am now ready to try again...i have read the upgrade guides on microsoft's site which says you CAN upgrade from 98 to XP, but i have also read some non-microsoft guides that DON'T recommend it

i don't want to reformat...and i have a partitioned disc

how "bad" would it be if i were to upgrade??

alternatively, rather than upgrade, can i just delete my WINDOWS directories from DOS and install XP - i know this won't be a "clean" install, but would that be better or worse than upgrading??

please help guys...i have no one else to ask (i don't like the IT guys at work!!!)


ps....no one said anything about my beautiful avatar which i waited so long to have :(

[Bruce]

My advice...

Backup your current drive to another hard drive, if you have one, or even back it up to another partition on the same drive. Then format the partition and do a clean install. You'll thank yourself later.

[CareBear]

I'd suggest biting through it and format first too. That way you can start out with a fresh install, upgrading an OS from an existing one is always a bit of a risk.

Otherwise: you'll probably be asked during install in which directory you want to install WinXP. It'll be set to your existing windows directory by default. You can edit it and make it say c:\winxp or something similar. That way at least you won't have mixed 98/xp mixed system folders.
This won't be fully clean though. Make sure you empty out the recycle bin the last time you restart Win98, if at all possible clear out as much as you can from the "Program Files" folders and the "Documents And Settings" (if it exists under 98).
Installing it this way will probably show the multiboot menu on startup, letting you pick between WinXP & Win98 but you can get rid of that later on. You'd need to delete the Win98 swap file manually as well if you need the space for that back.

Another suggestion would be to go hunt for the drivers you'll need to get on the internet (modem driver or network adapter) with XP. If you can get online then you can at least you can search for whatever driver doesn't come with XP.

[Robert]

If you are running Windows 98, than your hard drive is Fat32. I'd suggest to let XP format your hard drive into an NTFS format.

It's always best to start fresh.

[Abush]

Guess what I wanted to install XP on my computer and was wondering on the same thing because it wouldn't let me upgrade I was afraid that it might erase everything I have but I installed it on drive D and I use multiboot the one thing I notice is that when I installed it on D it didn't erase the files and folders I had on D sot it might not erase the files you have on your hard drive even if you clean install but first backup every thing.:classic2:
Oh yes it will erase your settings but not your files if you install it on C tell me what happened or try using the other part of your HD (if you have another) and multiboot. If you wultiboot you will be able to use both OSes and you will still have your settings when you boot 98. if you want more details PM me.:classic2:

[Daniel]

You can chose to replace the current windows installation, but that means you'll be using FAT32 instead of NTFS. NTFS is alot more reliable than FAT32.

[multipleimage]

You definatly want to backup, reformat and install xp. Your mouse should work fine with XP as well.

[n7of9]

thanx everyone...you have guided me well

i will start afresh :-)

[deeplist]

Don't worry about any of the FAT32 and NTFS stuff. Windows XP ususually, if installed on a FAT32 partition, will detect it and ask if you want to convert during installation. If you are afraid of this, you can always install it on the FAT32, and then later convert it from the command prompt within XP.

convert c: /fs:ntfs

[Bruce]

NEVER convert from FAT(32) to NTFS. It'll leave your drive more fragged than a n00b after his first game of CS. :eek:

[deeplist]

It will become fragmented anyway just from the initial OS install. :rolleyes:

Plus, thats what MS invented Disk Defragmenter for in the first place. :D

[CareBear]

Originally posted by DeepList.com
Plus, thats what MS invented Disk Defragmenter for in the first place. :D Actually, Executive Software 'invented' the NT/2k/XP defragmenter. :D
Since Win2k Microsoft just paid them for a run down version of their program to be included with every copy. Same way Symantec wrote the Win9x defragmenter.

[nitroboy]

is it possible to upgrade? :confused: djeez I know nothing of computers

I installed windows XP on my 2nd harddrive, everything works fine and everytime I start my computer it ask me to start in win 98 SE or win XP, no big deal and everything works fine....

that's how I did