Upgrade Questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dane
  • Start date Start date
D

Dane

I am ready to upgrade from 98SE to XP. I have been told
that I should start from scratch by allowing XP to wipe
out all of my disk and install new.

I was going to do the usual "upgrade" in order to keep
several of my setups and programs in place in order not to
re-install all over again.

Here's the question:
1. Is it really better to wipe out and start from scratch?
2. Is there a possible problem in just doing the "upgrade"?
 
Hi Dane,
1. Is it really better to wipe out and start from scratch?
Click to expand...

No, only in certain cases where the system is already in a state of
disaster. You will often hear people advising to clean install rather than
upgrade to avoid problems, that is just plain wrong. If an upgrade causes
problems, you can always go back and do a clean installation - you can't do
the reverse.
2. Is there a possible problem in just doing the "upgrade"?
Click to expand...

Hasn't been for me and the machines I've upgraded. Fact is, 99% of the
problems stem from people not doing their homework. Make sure the machine's
hardware is compatible, check for compatible drivers before upgrading. Make
sure programs will run under WinXP, some may need a patch or update. If you
don't set yourself up for disappointment, it probably won't happen.

WinXP Compatibility list:
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/services/whql/hcl/winxphclx86.txt

MVP Gary Woodruff's upgrade advice:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
In
Dane said:
I am ready to upgrade from 98SE to XP. I have been told
that I should start from scratch by allowing XP to wipe
out all of my disk and install new.

I was going to do the usual "upgrade" in order to keep
several of my setups and programs in place in order not to
re-install all over again.

Here's the question:
1. Is it really better to wipe out and start from scratch?
Click to expand...


Not necessarily. Unlike previous versions of Windows, when you do
an upgrade with XP, it keeps very little of the previous
operating system. Upgrades over the top usually work very well.

My recommendataion is to at least try the upgrade; you have
nothing to lose by doing so. If it works well, you've saved
yourself a lot of time and trouble. Worst case, if problems
develop, you can always reinstall cleanly.

2. Is there a possible problem in just doing the "upgrade"?
Click to expand...


Of course. Despite what I said above, there are no guarantees.
Problems are unlikely, but still possible.
 
1. But with any type of installation make sure that you Back-Up, all Important Data!!!

2. DO NOT USE the Backup program found in Win98, XP's backup program does not recognize those file types. Use a third party backup program, or just copy and paste the files/folder to a removable medium, or if you have partitioned your HDD on your Win98 PC into multiple drives, copy those items to a folder there.

3. For great info on OE backup procedures under OE back-up, go to Tom Koch MVP's OE FAQ's Site: http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/

--
Rich/rerat

Add MS News Server to your OE with news://msnews.microsoft.com/
(RRR News) <message rule>


In
Dane said:
I am ready to upgrade from 98SE to XP. I have been told
that I should start from scratch by allowing XP to wipe
out all of my disk and install new.

I was going to do the usual "upgrade" in order to keep
several of my setups and programs in place in order not to
re-install all over again.

Here's the question:
1. Is it really better to wipe out and start from scratch?
Click to expand...


Not necessarily. Unlike previous versions of Windows, when you do
an upgrade with XP, it keeps very little of the previous
operating system. Upgrades over the top usually work very well.

My recommendataion is to at least try the upgrade; you have
nothing to lose by doing so. If it works well, you've saved
yourself a lot of time and trouble. Worst case, if problems
develop, you can always reinstall cleanly.

2. Is there a possible problem in just doing the "upgrade"?
Click to expand...


Of course. Despite what I said above, there are no guarantees.
Problems are unlikely, but still possible.
 
Back
Top