XP on a PII-333?

[MDTerp429]

Anyone have any ideas on how realistic it is to install win XP on this machine:

Pentium II with MMX @ 333 MHz
288 MB RAM (can prolly find 128 MB to replace the 32MB for 384 MB total)
ATI Rage Pro (also have a RAGE 128 lying around)
8 GB hdd

I know this meets Microsofts "requirements" but I'm wondering if it will run so ungodly slow that it would be better to leave this machine with win 98.

problem is, comp was passed on to a friend of mine cuz the original owners got it loaded up with spyware and bought a new puter. i want to reinstall win 98 SE but my friend doesn't remember if his disc will require him to enter any serial code, which he of course either can't find or never had. if i remember correctly, win 98 doesn't require codes until after installation is complete. does this mean that w/o codes the system won't boot?

Hence, trying to use win xp cuz he does have his own copy of XP with code. don't want to get done installation of 98 and then not be able to start windows because of a missing code.

thanks anyone for your help

[Nuvada]

If I remember correctly, as long as you use a valid key from any win 98 SE installation it will work, doesn't actually have to be the key that came with the computer. Yes it'll run ungodly slow in XP. There are also ways to find the key used in a current install of 98 SE, it is stored somewhere on the computer(if I had time I'd look up where).

[MDTerp429]

thx, that settles that. now to find a win 98 code...

[faulkner132]

I've seen it running on slower machines. Just make sure you disable all XP's scrolling menu's, shadows, themes, and everything else which will eat up processor time.

RAM upgrade to 384 would be highly recommended.

[Nuvada]

make sure it's an SE key, a regular Win 98 key will not work with a 98SE install, I've tried it. Also if you have it loaded on a Machine already, and havn't formatte yet, use this method
__________________________________________________________________

How Can I Locate My Windows 98 Product Key?


The Windows 98 Certificate of Authentication Product Key Code will be required if you reinstall or upgrade Windows 98.

The Product Key is a 25 digit alphanumeric code that is located on the lower right hand corner of the Certificate of Authenticity. The Certificate of Authenticity is the front cover of the "Getting started: Microsoft Windows 98" manual.

If you are unable to locate your " Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98" booklet, you can still retrieve the Product Key from your existing installation of Windows 98. This information is stored in your windows registry. To access your windows registry, use the following procedure.

1. Click START | RUN.

2. In the open box type REGEDIT and press Enter. You will see a window that is labeled "Registry Editor".

3. Locate the folder "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and click on the plus "+" to the left of it.

4. Locate the folder "SOFTWARE" click on the plus "+" sign to the left of it.

5. Locate the folder "MICROSOFT" click on the plus "+" sign to the left it.

6. Locate the folder "WINDOWS" click on the plus "+" sign to the left of it.

7. Locate the folder "CURRENT VERSION" and click on the folder icon.

8. Look on the right side of the registry editor window. You will see many entries organized into "NAME" and "DATA" columns. You are looking for the "VALUE", under the "NAME" called "PRODUCTKEY". The Product Key is located to the right. It will be similar to this; Productkey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" Write the code down. Click the close button, the "X" in the upper right-hand corner of the "Registry Editor" window.

[MDTerp429]

thanks a lot, i'll give it a try.

on a different note, to clarify, will doing the install of win98 reformat the drive or do i need to use the fdisk utility first to wipe it out?

[Nuvada]

Dang it's been a long time since I've done a 98 install, I dont' think 98 install has a format integrated, just save time and fdisk it

[glc]

You can manually format it using the FORMAT command. No need to use FDISK.

I'm not a fan of XP, but it will run okay on that machine if you turn all the effects off and wisely disable startup items. The more ram, the better. An 8gb hard drive is adequate unless you want to install more than basic software. I've installed Win2000 on machines with a lot less horsepower. The extra stability may be worth it. You have nothing to lose - try it, if it runs like poo-poo, just wipe it and put 98 back on.

[ricercar]

I run XP on a Pentium II 333MHz ThinkPad. It's acceptable for email and surfing, but dismal for video.