Upgrading from Windows 98se

hjb123

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew if it is possible to upgrade from Windows 98se to Windows XP and roughly what it involves - ie cost wise and whether programs on the computer move over easily too - I have no idea of what it invovles!

JimArnold

An upgrade should automatically move the programs - assuming they work on XP cost £60 for an upgrade

A much bigger problem is whether you have enough mmeory, hard disk space and processor power - unless you have pretty high spec late Win98 machine you may be pushed

hjb123

Thanks for that. I dont know the spec or much inside the computer only that it is Windows 98se. We have had various bits replaced in the computer - think they put us a bigger memory on at one stage.

John_LG

Actually, be sure to back up all your files, and ensure you have all the programs you need on CD ready to reinstall. Most programs will work on XP, if some don't then patches or guidance will be found on the web. Perhaps google search first though. Don't forget to export your contacts from outlook/Express (file, export, address).
Your hard drive will be completely wiped, as Win98 used a different way of allocating data in chunks (called FAT32) and Win XP mainly uses NTFS (New Technology File Structure). You don't need to know why or how! When you put in your Windows XP CD it'll guide you through reformatting and setting it all up.
Microsoft say the minimum spec to run XP is 233MHz processor, with 64MB RAM and 10GB Hard drive - but in practise you're much better with 256MB RAM. This is the spec of a 'normal' computer from 2000/2001 approximately. To check what you have got, right click over your My Computer icon, and select Properties. For the size of hard drive, ope My Computer, and right click over the C:hard disk icon, and select Properties.
There is probably lots more guidance is this forum already, but that should get you started.
You can buy XP Home for £57
http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Name=Win+XP+home+OS
Although it OEM - means you have to buy it with a piece of hardware, which could be a £2 mouse, for example, or perhaps something you actually need, like a 80GB hard drive or a DVD RW etc...
Good luck, keeping asking questions, no such thing as a silly one (just one you don't know the answer to yet...)

hjb123

Also if it was to be upgraded to Windows XP would it make a difference to the speed etc? What would the differences be?

Rex_Mundi

hjb123 wrote:

Also if it was to be upgraded to Windows XP would it make a difference to the speed etc? What would the differences be?

You would probably find that on the same spec machine W98 would a fraction faster than XP.

needmoney

I have just had a new pc with XP.
I much prefer Win98, I miss Word and Excel, Works just isn;t the same, no format painter no choice of view, I find it all very different and I also find the internet slower it's almot like being back on dialup instead of brodband. Don't know if that's due to XP or just this machine.

John_LG

needmoney- a common misconception, Microsoft XP is the operating system, like Windows 98, whereas Word and Excel are part of Microsoft Office, they have nothing to do with the operating system. You can buy Word and Excel for your new PC - it's just that whoever you bought it off decided in their wisdom to give you Microsoft Works (as it's very cheap in comparison to Microsoft Office).
If you can't afford to buy MS Office, you might consider a free 'open source' alternative like StarOffice/OpenOffice. They can read and save as 'proper' word and excel files, and are becoming more widely used, especially by small companies and schools, who can't always afford the more expensive options.
You will soon get used to XP, if it's the look that is putting you off, how about changing it to look like 98? Right click over the start button, select 'properties', and that click on 'classic start menu'. It's the most popular OS ever, and is seriously hindering Microsoft next planned updated OS called Vista - 'cos XP is that good!
hjb123 - like Rex says, a small performance increase, but not much, it's the tools, accessibility and usability that are the main benefits. Plugging in digital cameras, memory sticks, scanners and printers are so easy. The easy to view pictures with quick slideshow options. So many easy to use wizards. Free software like Roxio CD burning software, movie maker2, photostory3, firewall on internet explorer and pop up blocker... I could go on, but it'd take all day. I'm a fan (if you haven't realised already - even my Mum can see the benefits!!!!

hjb123

Hi,

The person we had out to the computer today is going to bring an XP machine with him next week and see if that makes a difference to the speed of the machine as it keeps freezing up and going slow!

H