XP upgrade from win98SE

[Joels]

Hi,

I've just received the free upgarde for Windows XP home edition having purchased win98SE just prior to the XP release. Does anyone know if this upgrade is successful (i.e. from win98SE to Xp) or is it better to do a clean installation from scratch. I know a clean install is usually better but will I really see a difference - it's just that this option is more of a hassle.

Also, if I do to the clean install, will this be possible using the upgrade CD if win98 is not on my system. Will it prompt me for the win98 CD to make sure that I have it or must it actualy be installed on my system?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rkonster]

A clean install is always better, and I do it whenever I can. I have, however, installed XP over a 98 install, and it worked fine. Yeah, the upgrade CD will allow you to clean install by prompting you for the cd.

 

[BUTTUGLY]

Free upgrade? I havent had a free OS since I bought my first retail PC with Win95 installed. Had to pay for everything since. And yes, XP installs over 98SE ok, just pull everything except the video card, re-install devices one by one, allowing XP to install it's own abreviated drivers and you may be lucky if your printer still works.

 

[Trashman]

<< Also, if I do to the clean install, will this be possible using the upgrade CD if win98 is not on my system. Will it prompt me for the win98 CD to make sure that I have it or must it actualy be installed on my system? >>


You can do a fresh install with the upgrade cd, and yes make sure you have your win98 cd handy, during your XP install it will want to see proof of previous windows verions, you will have to insert 98 cd to verify.
To answer previous question:


<< I know a clean install is usually better but will I really see a difference >>


Purpose of clean install is to avoid any hardeware and software issues and problems during upgrade.

 

[renorocks]

I'm not particularly fond of XP home, but if it's free, I can't argue. I highly rec. a clean install. You can keep your win98 cd handy for MS verification, or you can copy the Win98 folder on your cd to a folder you create on your hdd and have xp verify it from there.
XP pro is mucho better than home, especially for network users.

 

[Oakenfold]

I ran the upgrade pro on my wife's machine and hers runs great..only prob is the crashing in tac ops but that's kinda expected I guess. Now on the other hand I did a clean re-format of my ECS K7s5a setup with a 1.2 tbird with the full pro cd and had it crash 5 times in a week and a half, needless to say my machine has 98se again, hers still runs XP fine.

 

[managerdan]

My first installation of XP was completed via an upgrade. Even though I completed the task, it was still a hassle. If you can afford the time to reinstall all your software, then you might want to consider a fresh or clean installation. My second and third installation of XP was completed via a clean install method. I have to report the clean install medthod was an easy chore with XP. Which is the better installation, the upgrade or the clean install? I think the clean install method makes for the better OS.