Upgrade Windows 98 To Windows Xp
Upgrade Your System To Windows XPJonathan Roubini
You don't need the latest PC to run Microsoft Windows XP. There's a good chance you can breathe some new life into an older Windows computer simply by installing this latest version of the operating system: Win XP is clearly a much more stable OS than its predecessors.
System requirements for Windows XP are fairly modest. We found that even a PII/233 system with 64MB of RAM will suffice, though Microsoft rightly recommends that you have at least a 300-MHz processor and 128MB of RAM. You'll also need at the very least 1.5GB free on your hard drive—and that's not including space for applications and data files.
Rather than getting the full Windows XP, which is really necessary only for a new system, buy the Windows XP Upgrade CD, which costs about $100 less (the Home Edition upgrade is $99). To use the Upgrade CD, you'll need to be running (or have the installation CD for) Windows 98, Me, NT 4, or 2000.
Preparation
The first step is to make sure Windows XP supports the software and hardware you rely on. Microsoft offers two options for doing this. You can search the Windows Catalog at www.microsoft.com/ windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/ compat.asp. Although Microsoft tries to keep this list updated, the list isn't 100 percent complete. If a specific device or program does not appear here, that doesn't necessarily mean it won't work.
Alternatively, you can download Windows XP Upgrade Advisor, available by clicking here. It will scan your hardware and software and provide a list of issues. This can include blocking issues, which need to be solved before upgrading, and compatibility warnings, which point out specific hardware or software on your system that might not work after the upgrade. These warnings include more details and often possible fixes.
Of course, some things simply won't work with Windows XP, and the only workaround is to upgrade software or buy newer products. For example, you may need to get new antivirus software, or upgrade to the latest version of Easy CD Creator. We've even seen peripherals, such as some older scanners, that would not work with Windows XP.
Ideally, you should run a full, clean installation of Windows XP. For information on doing this, see "Reinstall Windows XP On Your Computer". But running an upgrade on your current OS has the benefit of preserving preferences and data files.
Note that some applications will break and need to be reinstalled after an upgrade. Before you upgrade, we recommend that you uninstall all unnecessary software, back up data files, and delete any data you no longer need. Chances are you won't need to use the backups you've created, but it's always a good idea to play safe. After cleaning up the hard drive, run ScanDisk and defragment your drive.
It's also a good idea to download the driver for your network card or modem (and drivers for other hardware, for that matter) and save it to removable media. This way, if Windows XP doesn't recognize your network card and you have no Internet connection once the upgrade is complete, you can install the driver locally.
Before running the upgrade, make sure your computer is virus-free, then disable your antivirus software so it won't interfere with the installation.
Finally, detach any USB devices.
Upgrade
The upgrade process should take 30 to 90 minutes. If you are running a version of Windows, you can launch the upgrade from the CD as you would launch any application on CD. Otherwise, launch the upgrade by booting from the CD. Choose the upgrade option and the program will install Windows XP over your old OS, leaving your data files intact. During the upgrade, your system will automatically shut down and reboot a few times. Very little user input will be required.
If the installation screen freezes—say, for 20 minutes or so—and the system is not showing any activity, turn the system off and then back on. The installation should pick up where it left off. Once the upgrade is done, boot the system and then shut down at least once. Then you can reattach your USB devices.
Next, be sure to install all available updates by running Windows Update or visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. These will address a variety of security holes and driver issues.
Finally, ensure that all the devices attached to your computer are working properly. If any aren't, check the manufacturer's Web site for an updated Windows XP driver. If you can't find one, try the Windows 2000 driver; in many cases, that will work.
Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.