Need advice upgrading Windows XP

[marvontherim]

I am at the biginning stages of a new build and I want to use the hard drive from the old computer as the primary drive and add a secondary drive. The old system has windows 98.
Here is my question: If I upgrade the old window 98 to XP now will it be easier to transfer to a new system or should I wait until the new system is put together than ungrade to XP. I could buy the XP program outright but it's about $100 more than the upgrade vresion.
Any suggestions
As always thanks for any input
Al

[Panama Red]

Buy the full oem version of XP, not the upgrade. Install XP on the new hard drive and install the 98 drive as a slave later to transfer/save all the old files.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...102-151&DEPA=0

[marvontherim]

Thanks Panama Red
The OEM versions you refered to saids they must be purchased with hardware. Can I buy it without hardware? Also I want XP PRO and it looks like the cheapest I can get it for is $143
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-153&depa=0
Also maybe you can explain something for me.The bios is set up to read the primary drive and determin what operating system to run. If there is an operating system installed on a secondary drive will it conflict in any way or just be dormant?
Thanks
AL

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

Originally Posted by marvontherim The OEM versions you refered to saids they must be purchased with hardware. Can I buy it without hardware?

Just buy a cheap cable or something for a couple of dollars, although I believe there is a cable that you can get that is free if you buy it with XP.

Originally Posted by marvontherim The bios is set up to read the primary drive and determin what operating system to run. If there is an operating system installed on a secondary drive will it conflict in any way or just be dormant? Thanks AL

Unless you have windows set up to let you chose between the two, or you tell the bios to look at the slave drive first I don't see a problem with doing that.

[marvontherim]

Thanks WhatsThisBoxFor?
I'll do that.