How to Update Win95 to OSR2

[PaulBarter]

Is there any way to install OSR2 of Win95 without deleting everything and starting again? I had a copy of OSR2 with my new PC, but at the time I didn't have time to use it and just swopped my hard drive into the new PC. Now that I would like to use the newer version the setup routine just tells me (eventually) that I need an update version, but as far as I know an update version has never been released. I would like to use the newer FAT32 and can do the actual partition conversion using other software. Starting again from scratch will take me hours to reinstall everything.

 

[pmkincaid]

First the legal answer: No. You have to start from scratch -- this is because OSR2 was an OEM release of the product, meaning you could not buy it outside of buying a new computer. If you tried to install it over the existing copy, you'd get an error saying you needed the upgrade version.<br>
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Having said that, my next statement is contingent on the statement &quot;If you are legit and did what you are saying, have both copies of Win95 and are using this in the new computer, then you can continue reading. If this is not the case and you got a &quot;friend's&quot; copy, then you would be in violation of the Microsoft Licensing Agreement...&quot;<br>
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OK, just had to say that to kind of cover my behind... I have found that you can rename &quot;win.com&quot; and that will allow you to install OSR2 over the original version. The problem comes in that the OEM is probably not going to do an upgrade, it might perform a clean install - everything would still be on your hard drive, however the new Windows would not recognize any of your programs and you'd have to reinstall them anyway.<br>
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Having said all of that, my personal feeling is that since the OEM install might not perform an upgrade, but may instead do a fresh install - I would recommend doing a complete install from scratch. Its cleaner, you can format FAT32 and not have to worry about the drive failing in the middle of the FAT32 conversion. I fully understand your time constraints, but installing the OEM in a way that was not intended, you may be asking for troubles.<br>
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Hope this helps a bit.<br>
Paul

 

[cfrenett]

From what I've seen on the Micosoft Support site, you can proceed by installing Service Packs in a sequence that will bring your operating system to OSR2 without loosing a thing. There are precise instructions on how to do it.<br>
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Here's the URL:<br>
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<A HREF="

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/"

TARGET="_new">

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/</A><br>

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from there, click on the DOWNLOAD CENTER, etc...<br>
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To convert FAT 16 to FAT32 I used Partition Magic 4.0. It is very easy to do ( takes about 5-10 minutes ) . YOU DON'T HAVE TO REFORMAT AT ALL...!!!!<br>
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