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Operating system upgrade

Maruk
Maruk Posts: 19 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
I currently have Windows 98 on one of my old computers, if i wanted to upgrade it to windows Xp, do i just have to purchase the windows xp software and install it, just worried it might erase all my existing data on the computer.Thanks

Comments

  • Red_Rose_Exile
    Red_Rose_Exile Posts: 1,180 Forumite
    You can do, but to be honest, it is possible you are likely to run into problems with regards to drivers and some software. I would always personally recommend a clean install.

    First I would check that the PC is capable of running Xp, using the XP upgrade advisor

    You may have to install a lot of the programs again, so I would back up the important data anyway
  • davkt
    davkt Posts: 81 Forumite
    How old and what spec is the computer? XP likes to have a whole lot more resources than 98 is happy with! Do you need XP for a particular reason, if not and if 98 is behaving OK I'd be tempted to leave well alone even if the upgrade advisor says its OK, Microsoft can be a bit optimistic when they say your system will run something, sure it will run but if it'll run at any usable speed is another matter!
  • Sooler
    Sooler Posts: 3,114 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Maruk wrote: »
    just worried it might erase all my existing data on the computer.Thanks

    If you lose any data you can reinstate it from your backups. Can't you???
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