upgraded - so what?

[teemro]

So I had Win98 and upgraded to XP Home Edition. My God, how awful...

Nothing at all is sraight-forward anymore (like 98 was?, huh!)

So many dead screens, nothing happening. Can't install sodftware, stuff refuses to respond.

I had some cd burning software, and, fair enough, it expired, and then magically vanished from my pc. 98 never did this.

I am really , totally, fed up with this pile of rubbish that we buy. What is the point?

Is Linux more solid? I can't believe we're paying Gates tons of cash so that we can spend hours clicking here and there.

What's happening with this 98/xp upgrade?

Was there life beyond 98?

[EzyStvy]

Did you do your homework "before" upgrading? Did you check ALL your hardare AND ALL your software to make sure it's compatible with XP?

[Evanin]

I have never updated my operating system. By the time the OS is really outadate, I build a new comp. Went from 98SE to XP recently.

[lil Jimmie]

OS upgrades very seldom go smooth, tis why I go with clean installs preferably with updated software and hardware.

[glc]

98 to Win2K upgrades usually go smooth if you clean things up beforehand and READ and HEED the upgrade report it prepares for you, so I'd assume (dangerous I know) that XP upgrades should too, as long as you have decent hardware.

[teemro]

I thought I had read and understood hardware compatibility and so on.

But it's things like installing new software, that says it's compatible with XP, and then somehow, even just choosing a new location in which to save files all becomes DEAD slow.

I don't think with Win98 I EVER saw so many times that darn 'program not responding' window.

I wonder if I have a bug virus problem... every now and then, McAfee reports two viruses in the temp internet folders, and they get cleaning, and we move on.

The same two each time.

I had hell with RPC (remote procedure call?) until a few days back until I got the fix for it.

I am seriously thinking of returning to 98, and maybe buy XP as full OS install instead of this 'upgrade', so-called.

*tiring of this now*.

[lil Jimmie]

You can do a clean install with the XP upgrade disk but you have to provide proof of a qualifying OS (98/ME/2000 install cd) during the install.

[teemro]

I have win98 cdrom and fdd boot disk and the xp home upgrade...

Can I format my hdd and insert the xp upgrade disk and mkae it work from there?

Surely that would mean anyone could get a cheap xp without ever having to buy xp off the shelf wouldn't it?

[lil Jimmie]

Set you bios to boot to the cd-rom and insert the XP upgrade cd and reboot. No need to format as the XP setup will allow you to partition and format during the setup.

[teemro]

And then I'll be asked for the old Win98 cd and its number?

I notice with this XP, in add/remove programs, that I can uninstall xp and return to xp. So if I do what you advise, this should not be the case? It should act just like I had installed xp from a fresh install?

A few moments ago, I went to install winamp pro, and when I try to change folder, the thing just halts.

I can't think straight right now, but this is typical of the probs I have had with this xp 'upgrade'.

[glc]

Yes, just wipe it clean and install the XP upgrade, have your 98 CD ready for when it asks.

[Hi Ho]

As long as you PC is up to snuff XP is a hundred times better than 98. When I built my new computer and installed XP I was in heaven. No more illegal operations or BSOD's. I'd say the only way to go is to do a clean install. I never upgrade without wiping the hard drive first.

[teemro]

Can I just check this then...

If I roll back the xp upgrade using the Add/Remove programs manager, roll it back to Win98, then...

I should be able to install xp as an upgarde with no problem from the activation key?

Because I have activated xp now, does this mean I won't be able to use xp properly?

Promise that's my last question... - on this topic anyway!

[glc]

Why roll it back? Just back up your stuff, wipe, and clean install. Worst case, you will have to call to reactivate, M$ won't give you a hard time if you explain that it was a reformat.

HiHo: Have you ever played with Win2K? It's every bit as stable as XP, without as much bloat and fluff, and runs on lower power boxes.

[teemro]

Thanks glc et al,

I formatted C and began again after backing up my files.

Activated with no problem.

Now I have a nasty virus on there... w32.welchia.b.worm

I'll find another forum to post about that however.

No, I never thought about Win2000.

Many thanks for the pointers.

[Hi Ho]

HiHo: Have you ever played with Win2K? It's every bit as stable as XP, without as much bloat and fluff, and runs on lower power boxes

Yes I have. I do like XP better. Just my preference. I guess because I also like eye candy as you can see from my DESKTOP.