Upgrading to XP

[dr_roberts49]

I'm just about ready to upgrade my Windows 98SE to Windows XP. I recently built a new P4 system, and it's now time for a new OS. I do have some questions, and I feel I will get better feedback from my fellow members than from anywhere else. Here they are:

Money is an issue, so I'm looking closely at the upgrade edition. From reading several posts, I'm told I can do a "clean" install with the upgrade edition. Here's my particular concern. The only full edition I have of Windows, is Windows 95. I have the upgrade edition of Windows 98, and Windows 98SE. Will I still be able to do a clean install with these upgrade CDs?

Are there any issues with compatability? I own Office 97, which we use extensively. All my updates and patches are current with Windows 98SE. The same with my games and other applications. It would really hurt me in the pocketbook, if I had to buy new editions.

Finally, what will I be lacking if I go with the Home Edtion, rather than the Pro Edition? We have a DSL connection with a LinkSys router network upstairs connecting 3 computers, and a Linksys wireless access point for the 2 computers downstairs. We're currently sharing folders and printers, nothing fancy. My kids use the internet, play music and games. I do the same, but I'm also getting ready to put our home videos on CD. Newegg has some pretty good pricing on the Home Edition upgrade. It's the educational/student release, but I do qualify, with 2 kids in college, and one in middle school, plus I will be taking courses in the spring.

I plan to make my purchase next Monday, so any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanking all in advance.

Robert

[DanGrease]

Depends
If you want to make a clean install with the Upgrade Version of CP I have only made it when I have 2K installed on my machine, with 98 (since its FAT32) it doesnt, you cant. I would recommend the full version, but I agree thie price is a pain. About Home vs Professional I would say if you dont have a domain or are joining one or if you really need the extra network features stay with Home, although I use Professional and I really prefer Pro than Home (I have both). Office 97 can be an issue in XP, since its not very new. I have Office 2000 and it is slower on my XP Box than my 2K for a reason. For your kids XP would be a great option since it has a lot of multimedia stuff included but for you I would consider 2K simply because sometimes its cheaper, it will accept you Office 97 better (XP tends to be worse in Office Productivity) and it actually has the same stability and you dont get the extra stuff that XP comes with. 2K Professional tends to be better in networking than XP, specially Home. And your machine would probably be happier with 2K than XP since XP is a recourse mosnter. i would say if you are really happy and your not experiencing any problems with 98 then you dont need to upgrade, but if you are experiencing crashes oftenly, and you just want a stabler OS then I would definetely go for 2K if I was you. And if you are willing to spend the bucks go with XP Professional. These are my choices for you:

1. Windows 2K Professional
2. Windows XP Professional
3. Windows XP Home

Also 2K doesnt have the activation that XP has which actually can be a real pain and just bother a lot. Hope this helps you and Good Luck!

dan

[ragtop]

- Although I haven't done it personally, there should be no problem doing a clean install with the old upgrade CD's. Normally, you just have to pop in the CD from the old OS at some point in the install process, it will be verified, then you can move on.

- I very recently made the switch from 98 to XP myself. Office 97 seems to work just fine, as do my games. I'm sure some of the older games may have problems, but none of the ones I've tried so far. The only compatibility issue I had was with my older version of Norton AV. I solved that by upgrading to the current version - (I was able to get the upgrade for free, after MIR)

I'm using the OEM Home Edition. It lacks dual processor support and doesn't have some of the more advanced networking capabilities. There sould be no problem for the type of network you're using. I also have a Linsys router that is connected to other PC's using wired and wireless connections. I have no problem sharing files and doing LAN gaming with other PC's that are running WIN98 and WIN2000. On the other hand, if you have a laptop that your kids will use to connect to a LAN system at school, you may need the extra networking capabilities of XP pro (I'm not an expert in the networking area, perhaps someone else can give more details on this)

[ragtop]

-oops - double post

[dr_roberts49]

Very interesting. I hadn't considered Windows 2000, but, I'd rather take my chances with XP, and I think that the Home Edition will meet our needs. I guess my main concern now, is the ability to do a clean install with the upgrade version and see if it will accept my Windows 98/98SE upgrade CDs. I'll wait and see if anyone replies, who has actually done this type of install. Dangrease and ragtop, I really appreciate the input. Thank you.

Robert

PS

We have a laptop that my x-wife gave us to use. It's issued from Johns Hopkins, where she works, and has Windows ME on it. My oldest daughter is now using it for school, and so far, she hasn't had any problems hooking up here to our wireless end of the network, nor has she had any problems at the university or our local library.

[ragtop]

BTW - the Acedemic/upgrade version that Newegg has for $81 appears to be XP pro.

[dr_roberts49]

You are correct, ragtop. I also did a little digging on the Microsoft web site, and decided that XP Pro is exactly what I want. I love to tinker with stuff Now all I need is some feedback on doing a clean install on the upgrade version, and I'll place my order.

Robert

[mpc]

You can can do a clean install with the 98 upgrade cd, in fact, you can even upgrade with a Windows 95 cd, even though Microsoft says you can't.

[DanGrease]

To do a clean install of Windows XP Professional with the upgrade version:

I actually myself have exact this CD and I have already made a clean install with it a couple of times. The only time it has worked for me is when:
- I have Windows 2K Professional already installed (NTFS)
- I have Windows XP Professional already installed (NTFS)

I actually have never made a clean install when I have Windows 98 (Fat32) with the upgrade version and I think that it is not possible either. I would say dont risk buying an upgrade copy when you are not sure if its going to work, get the complete version instead and spend some bucks more on it. I dont even know if its illegal to do a clean install with the upgrade version. I knew that Home was not for you since you have network compability and Pro is the only way. I would still recommend Windows 2K Professional for you since its even better than XP in terms of networking (At least many people say so) and its cheaper and I must say its identical to XP only the visual is different. Think about it, and dont even think of Windows XP Home since its really not for you anyways. And be careful to buy the upgrade version and then you cant do a clean install, maybe I had just luck. I am not trying to change your mind, im just trying to help you since you need it from your web friends I hope this helped you and good luck!

dan

[nukes]

I actually have never made a clean install when I have Windows 98 (Fat32) with the upgrade version and I think that it is not possible either

You can make a clean install of any upgrade OS. It will just ask you for the disks/CD of the previous version of windows so it can check you're allowed, for instance, 98 upgrade will let you use the 95 CD or windows 3.1/3.11 disks for proof. However, XP will only do 98/ME/2k (possibly 95 but I'm not sure)

you can even upgrade with a Windows 95 cd, even though Microsoft says you can't.

Not on all the OEM ones, some say its only for installation on a new machine and refuse to install if there's already an OS on the hard drive.