98SE to XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter DonS
  • Start date Start date
D

DonS

I am planning to change OS from my existing 98SE to XP.
I'm a gamer and 98SE restricts the RAM I could use to
512M. My PC (1.2 GHz, Athlon K266FSB) has two hard drives
(20 and 13 Gbs). I already copied important files to CDs,
while other programs I can reload. Microsoft has advised
me of programs and/or hardwares that may not be compatible
with the XP. I know that I have to start clean (fdisk my
drives) to properly install XP. But would it just be
easier (but costlier) to install a new larger Gig drive
instead? Any advice on steps to take to shift OS?

Thanks

DonS
 
XP requires around 2GB of space to install. That can be trimmed down if you
wish by disabling Hibernation, turning off System Restore (or down sizing
it) and down sizing your pagefile size after you installed the OS. You
really do not have to wipe both of your drives to install XP. After all you
will only be installing it to the Primary Master or HD0. If you feel a need
to upsize your Hard Drive that is up to you and your needs but XP can
readily be installed to either of the drives you presently have. Nor do you
have to run FDISK. The XP CD is bootable and at the beginning of the
installation you will be asked if you wish to delete the existing
partition(s) and will be given your choice of format either NTFS or FAT.

It sounds like you've done your homework with respect to compatibility now
check here for install instructions
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
 
Greetings --

Win98 doesn't limit RAM to 512 Mb; it handles up to 2 Gb. But, if
you still want to upgrade, you certainly can. You seem to be
well-prepared, and the option of installing a new, larger hard drive
is a matter of personal choice; there's no technical _need_ to do so.
Also, you don't really _need_ to perform a clean installation, if you
don't want to; WinXP's upgrade process is vastly improved, and there
are usually problems only if the underlying OS is extremely
unstable/corrupted.


Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
 
| I am planning to change OS from my existing 98SE to XP.
| I'm a gamer and 98SE restricts the RAM I could use to
| 512M. My PC (1.2 GHz, Athlon K266FSB) has two hard drives
| (20 and 13 Gbs). I already copied important files to CDs,
| while other programs I can reload. Microsoft has advised
| me of programs and/or hardwares that may not be compatible
| with the XP. I know that I have to start clean (fdisk my
| drives) to properly install XP. But would it just be
| easier (but costlier) to install a new larger Gig drive
| instead? Any advice on steps to take to shift OS?
|
| Thanks
|
| DonS

A worthwhile read on upgrading. http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details. :)

Remove shoes to E-mail.
 
Bruce:

Please check out Product Support article details "Out of
memory messages appear when using more than 512 MB of RAM
when running Winbdows 98SE or Windows ME.
Ref: http://help.nec-computers.com/sg/prs/art04727.asp
Click to expand...


That article, and the Microsoft Knowledge Base article on which
it's based, describes a well-known issue that affects some
computers running Windows 98 with over 512MB of RAM. The solution
is a very simple one, and is described in the article--limit the
size of the vcache to 512MB. The article does *not* say that
"98SE restricts the RAM [you] could use to 512M," and it is not
true that Windows 98 can not use more than 512MB.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup



 
DonS said:
I am planning to change OS from my existing 98SE to XP.
I'm a gamer and 98SE restricts the RAM I could use to
512M. My PC (1.2 GHz, Athlon K266FSB) has two hard drives
(20 and 13 Gbs). I already copied important files to CDs,
while other programs I can reload. Microsoft has advised
me of programs and/or hardwares that may not be compatible
with the XP. I know that I have to start clean (fdisk my
drives) to properly install XP. But would it just be
easier (but costlier) to install a new larger Gig drive
instead? Any advice on steps to take to shift OS?
Click to expand...

You are mistaken about the amount of RAM that can be used by Windows
98. It can use up to 1 gb in almost every instance and there are a
number of people using Windows 98 successfully with 1.5 gb of RAM.

What is needed when you go beyond 512 mb of RAM is a limit on the
amount of RAM that can be mapped for use as disk cache. This must be
limited to not more than 512mb or the system will be susceptible to
false "out of memory" errors.

To limit the disk cache size in Windows 98 you add the following entry
to the [vcache] section of system.ini:

MaxFileCache=512000

That has no effect on the ability of Windows to use the full amount of
the installed RAM for Windows components, application programs, and/or
user data files.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
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