Upgrading to XP Question....

[VolnTitan]

I am planning to upgrade to Windows XP from Windows 98. I have the original version of 98 that game on my Compaq Presario 5284. The hard drive is partitioned so that on drive "D" is the restore function to restore the computer supposedly back to factory settings. I have access to a full version of Windows 98. Should I or can I just reformat my entire drive (getting rid of partition and all the Compaq stuff) and just load Windows 98 and then upgrade as if I have a brand new computer? The computer now is just so bogged down. I only have 96 mb or Ram but will be adding at least 128-256 to that. Any recommendations/advice/suggestions would be great!

Thanks

[morriswindgate]

Go to www.pcworld.com/xpready and run their system checker. It will quickly tell you if your machine is ready or what hardware/software upgrades you will need.

[VolnTitan]

Thanks....did that already and need to upgrade RAM, which I am going to do, but my question was whether or not I should just reformat my compaq (getting rid of the factory partition with the restore stuff) and start out with a fresh computer with full version of 98 and then upgrade.

[morriswindgate]

Have you got all the drivers, seperate from the restore disk?

[Confused]

Be very careful about reformating a Compaq drive. Some of BIOS/hardware system info is stored there. I got a old DeskPro for backup that after I built this one I did what you are asking because it was bogged down. Took a week, numerous calls to Compaq and several service pack downloads before I got that puppy back up. Wouldn't have been able to do it if I didn't already have this one running so that I could download the service packs and put on floppy to use on the DeskPro.
Chas

[VolnTitan]

I don't have the drivers, but could get them or let Windows take care of it. If anyone else has any experience with Compaq computers, I would appreciate any info.

[reboot]

I would do a total restore using the Compaq disk. That way, you get all your device drivers installed properly, then run the XP upgrade over top.
XP full install will probably NOT have all your proprietary Comcrap drivers, and Compaq won't support XP on anything other than an OEM machine, so you may never find drivers for half your stuff. Particularily nasty are drivers for Compaq modems and sound cards.
You've been warned

[VolnTitan]

Thanks. Comcrap is a good term. In retrospect....never mind. Can't afford to buy a new one anyway. Did fresh install on a old IBM and works great, but I can see where the Compaq might give trouble.

Thanks.....

[AlwaysUp]

This thread reminds me that the best reason to build one's own system is that you don't have to deal with proprietary garbage that retail PC manufacturers load their system up with. I am thouroughly convinced that a good performing PC can be built for $400 or less. I just read a post where a Abit BE6 II, a PIII 600 slot 1 and 128 Mb of ram was offered up for $100. This is a GOOD BX chipset board and with a BIOS flash and a SlotKey adapter will support up to the 1Ghz range. Good vid cards, sound cards are cheap..Cases come with P/S's, modems can be had for peanuts. RAM is dirt cheap. CD-Roms and FDD's can be gotten for the asking, just about. Can't imagine farting around with a Compaq, HP, Gateway, Dell or whatever!