XP Upgrade: Is it worth it from 98SE?

[piccolo0u812]

I currently have 98SE and want to upgrade to XP. Is it worth it to just get the upgrade or the full version? Can I upgrade from 98SE? Anyone out there that has had experience with this, I'd appreciate comments on the difficulties and problems associated.

thanks.

[Force Flow]

You can upgrade from 98SE, but you're asking for trouble down the road if you do that. It's better to perform a full install.

[sdkfz]

You can use the upgrade version to perform a full install (recommneded path) IF you hold onto the old OS disk forever to prove you are entitled to the upgrade (if you lose the old os disk and need to do a reinstall then the upgrade will not install)

The big question is, do you have older software that you will no longer be able to use with XP, mainly games and older ones at that, but you may want to consider a mullti boot system if this is the case, but regardless I love XP for the stability.

You can get the OEM version of the full XP from newegg for 93 which is about the same cost as a retail upgrade copy.

If you are not going the multi boot path, I would do the full install. I took this path and am now on my 11th system crash/freeze since install in 11/2001, this on a system with an ECS motherboard not well know for stability itself.

[whr2206]

Originally posted by force_flow2002 You can upgrade from 98SE, but you're asking for trouble down the road if you do that. It's better to perform a full install.

ha... yep I TRIED the upgrade. It gave me sooo many problems and conflicts with everything. I eventually just started over with a full install and everything works pretty good now. I wouldn't "upgrade" If i were you... I'd just do a full install...

[not important]

Same here. Did the upgrade. Nothing but problems. Did the full install. No problems.

[Confused]

Get the OEM copy, do a clean install. Solves two problems. One you will avoid problems many face with trying to upgrade. Two you won't have to worry about keeping track of the WIN98 CD if you want to reload XP at a later date.
Chas

[fredwest]

Hi Guys,
Yeah, the fresh install is thre way to go. In my experience nearly ALL video, sound, Office etc etc versions are a different revision from 98 to XP. You can bet that most of these will have to be re-installed 'over the top' of your current installation in order for them to work in an Windows NT (which is really what XP is) environment.

I have done a 98SE to XP upgrade for a friend using the FULL version of XP Pro. However there were issues as mentioned above. Eventually convinced my friend to backup, flatten & re-install from scratch. Everything went very well but he only had 256Mb RAM. He got his PC up to 512Mb and the whole system loves it!!

Words for the wise.....


Regards,

Declan (aka fredwest)

[piccolo0u812]

Thanks for all the good comments.

I should have been more clear on what I intend to do. I would install XP on a new system, but use the "upgrade" version of XP with my 98 disc. It would be a new install, not an update of 98 that is already installed. If the OEM is that cheap, I will go that route. What am I missing out on by buying OEM vs. Retail XP? An instruction book?

[cameroth]

i'd recommend the oem version as it's pretty cheap. with oem you don't get the huge reference manuel, you get a small pamphlet. also, i think that on oem products, the warrenty is much shorter (not sure about this one.)

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by piccolo0u812 I should have been more clear on what I intend to do. I would install XP on a new system, but use the "upgrade" version of XP with my 98 disc. It would be a new install, not an update of 98 that is already installed. If the OEM is that cheap, I will go that route. What am I missing out on by buying OEM vs. Retail XP? An instruction book?

An upgrade is an upgrade. It just gets worse the longer you have used the O/S to be upgraded (in this case, 98SE).

To add to the list of going OEM, support is limited. But, you have all these great people on the boards here to help you out, so that doesn't matter anyway.

[Confused]

Since you are talking about a new system you can do a clean install with a upgrade XP CD. Boot up with the XP CD, it will recognize that it is a upgrade version and ask for a supported OS. Put in the WIN98 CD and then It will ask for the XP again and finish the install.

Still I would get the OEM version of XP. It will probably be same price or maybe cheaper that the upgrade. Last I looked OEM was about $90.00 at Newegg.
Chas