Windows 98 to Windows XP Pro

[fj62alex]

Hi,

I still can't beleive that someone is still has Win98. I am trying to help a friend to replace Win98 with Win XP pro.
What do I have to do, to make it a smooth and painless transition?
Thanks in advance,
Alex

 

[bborissov]

From my experience your friend should install XP on clean computer. Format the disk and even change from FAT32 to NTFS. This will take more time for installation and re-installation of all applications BUT the system will be more stable than if you just upgrade Win98 to WinXP.

Borislav Borissov
VFP9 SP1, SQL Server 2000/2005.
MVP VFP

 

[electronicsfreak]

Also make sure this system your upgrading has the hardware specifications to handle xp. It should have at least 256 MB of ram for decent operation, I reccomend 512 or more for smooth operation.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[fj62alex]

Ok, the first thing i should do is to format the disk and change from FAT32 to NTFS. Do i need a bootable disk to perform formatting from a A: prompt or just boot win 98 and then format the disk?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[electronicsfreak]

Just use the actual windows xp disc , boot from it in dos, it will give you the option to delete and create a new partition, and then format using ntfs. Its all on the disk

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[edfair]

I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but there is the issue of programs and data and whether you are going to be able to save them.

That is one consideration.


Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[SPV]

There's also the hardware issue:
[ul]
[li] specifications (memory is mentioned above, but don't forget CPU, hard drive size etc);[/li]
[li]availability of XP-compatible drivers[/li]
[/ul]

These Microsoft links may help:
[ul]
[li]XP system requirements[/li]
[li]XP hardware compatibility[/li]
[/ul]

 

[vacunita]

Before you do anything at all. Go into Device Manager and write down the name model and manufacturer of all the hardware in the PC.

You'll need to go and find XP drivers for all the hardware so it will work once XP is installed.

Once you have all drivers, and have made sure the current specs of the PC can handle XP. Then you can decide whether you want to preserve the currently installed Apps or not. And whether you want to backup anything.

There's no point in going through all the process only to find out the PC can't handle XP.

Once you know it can handle it, and you have all the drivers for the hardware, on a separate media, you can proceed to format, using the XP setup disc.

Formatting will erase everything on the machine. So if you don't have install discs for all the apps you want back, then you need to either get them, or consider an in place upgrade of win98 to XP. That way the apps are preserved, as are all the documents. Since no formatting occurs.

I would not recommend an in place upgrade, as it usually causes more problems than it solves, unless you don't have install discs for apps you really want to keep.


----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[fj62alex]

I have one more question. It is a Dell desktop that has 256MB of memory, 40GB HDD and processor is 800mhz. I went to support.dell.com and checked for drivers for Win XP and I couldn't find any video drivers. So, I guess that after I install XP, i won't have to worry it.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[SirBlack]

Go to

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html.

After downloading, run that app & print it out. It will give you detailed info not only about your computer, but all hardware & software running on it (including mfgr.). It will help you to download updated drivers for all your devices if you have to format the HD & do a clean install.
Bob

 

[HalComps]

Why not do a dual boot? that way he can keep his 98 and use it as and when and when he wants to use XP he can, its not hard to do, also this way he can have time to get used to XP (formatted in FAT32) and still be able to access his old folders. with thinking about and when hes ready to fully convert to XP he'll feel more at ease.

If the HDD has 2 partitions or more, install XP on the second partition in FAT32.

heres a link that will explain more for u, hope it helps

http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/dualboot.htm

but of course u dont have to do this, u can do a full clean install, its wot ever u prefer. this just gives u more of a choice..

 

[fj62alex]

Guys - one more question. Computer doesn't have a NIC card in it yet. Do I have to install NIC card before or after installing Win XP?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[HalComps]

best to do it afterwards

 

[vacunita]

I suggest you install the NIC card afterwards. That way in a best case scenario, XP will automatically detect and install the NIC card. Although you might need the specific drivers if it has some special functionality.



----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[edfair]

I would have thought that the NIC would be on the M/B.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[fj62alex]

First off all, I didn't have any issues with installing Windows XP and like you suggested to install NIC afterwards. Well, I went and bought Netgear FA311 v2 in Staples. Pluged it PCI slot 1. Turn PC on, went to device manager and I DON'T see Network Adapters. Tried in PCI slot 3 and 5 and the same thing. The system doesn't recognize it.
Is it possible that NIC is defective or I haven't done soething right during Windows XP installation.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[HalComps]

have you installed the drivers for it? also check the bios. is it just the network card nots not seen or have you tried anything else that uses PCI?

 

[electronicsfreak]

cant install the drivers for something thats not seen hal.

Like hal said try something else on pci slot and see if it works. Whether drivers are installed or not the device manager should show pci adapter or something of the like.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[fj62alex]

Question about BIOS. What should I see in BIOS for
PCI Resource Exclusion? I checked my computer that is also running Win XP Pro and here is what I see:
Slot 1 IRQ <Auto>
Slot 2 IRQ <Auto>
Slot 3 IRQ <3>
Slot 4 IRQ <Auto>
Slot 5 IRQ <Auto>

Thanks,
Alex

 

[electronicsfreak]

set all of them to auto

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon