I have windows 98 and want to use Windows XP

I own a Gateway solo laptop which uses Windows 98. I have not used this laptop in a few years. When I try to update my Windows 98, I eventually receive a Windows Registry Checker notice "Windows encountered an error accessing the system registry. Windows will restart and repair the system registry for you." TRANSLATION: "We're gonna erase the windows updates that you just spent the last two hours downloading and return your laptop to the crappy state it was in. Ha Ha!"

It happened after I tried to update "DirectX 9.0c End-User Runtime" (what ever that is).

How can I get past this error? Also, I also own a Dell desktop and have the Windows XP for it. Can I just load the Windows XP software into my Gateway solo laptop?

Thanks.

 

On the Solo, create a new admin account, log into it, update W98. If you have the OS setup/install disk, do a clean install and update the OS.

Yes, you can load XP on the Solo, but it will need to be activated or after 30 days the OS will be unusable.

 

I have two disks, one called "Microsoft Windows 98 for PCs without windows" and one called "Gateway Restoration CD". I don't mind if I wipe everything off the harddrive and start anew. I looked at the Microsoft Windows 98 for PCs without windows, but it wasn't clear on how to do a clean install and update the OS.

When you say that I would need to activate the XP I load on the Solo in 30 days, does that mean I'm gonna have to pay someone some money to have it activated?

 

Further. I inserted the Windows XP disk into my laptop that is running Windows 98. I ran a compatibility check. The results says that Windows XP Setup does not support upgrading from Microsoft Windows 98 to Microsoft Windows XP home edition. Setup cannot continue.

I don't want to "upgrade" (what ever that means), I want to install Microsoft Windows XP on my Gateway Solo laptop. Can this be done in view of the comment I received from the XP disc software?

 

More - Apparently upgrade means you won't lose files and "install" means you'll probably lose whatever you had on the hard drive.

 

Uh, I just read that the product activation system allows me to install Windows XP on only one computer. Since it already is installed on my Dell computer, what does that mean for me? Do I need to purchase a new Windows XP for my Gateway laptop and, if so, should I just go ahead and purchase the new Vista or stick with Windows XP?

 

OK, struck down again. Yes, I do need to by Windows XP and did buy it. Since I had Windows 98, I only needed the $99 Windows XP upgrade, which I am installing now. I erased the laptop harddrive and am starting fresh. Getting that nine year old laptop back in business feels good. Thanks for the help.

 

A legit copy of Windows XP/Vista will give you 30 days of trial. After that, you won't be able to log in until you validate your OS. Validation is free, but you need a legit license. It's on the CD/DVD or the cardboard holder.

 

What model Gateway Solo laptop? I had a Gateway Solo 9300 laptop and changed from W98SE to XP Pro, with few problems, IIRC. Bazza

 

I have a Gateway Solo 2550 laptop. I was able to load Windows XP home edition ($99 - 1 computer license) on it as well as Microsoft Office 2007 student edition (3 computer licenses). They seem to work well. Some of the computer key white letters are worn, but it appears I can buy a new set of keys (a "Gateway Solo 2550 Keyboard") for $19. Something is wrong with the Li-Ion Battery and the laptop only works if it is plugged in to an outlet. It's $109 for a new battery, which seems too much to put into this old laptop, especially since I don't know if my Li-Ion Battery is the problem or whether it is something else.

With my newly installed Windows XP, I'm having a hard time figuring out how to bypass the windows XP log on screen. In the control panel under User Accounts, there is a "Change the way users log on or off" option, but that lets you choose between the welcome screen where you have to select a user and a password protected welcome screen. I just want to power up and go directly to the desktop. Any suggestions?

 

Hi! A Google search of "Windows XP no password" gives http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315231 as the first result. It will tell you how to enable automatic logon for Windows XP. However, as the article notes, this is not a good security practice, as it means that anyone will be able to walk up to your laptop and power it on to use it. If you are comfortable with this, then go for it, and be sure to let us know if it works out for you.

Good luck!

 

For follow up of this saga, see http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=167552 where I realize that the XP upgrade still isn't enough to let me use the 9 year old laptop on the Internet. The advise in that thread is that no amount of upgrade will give my laptop reasonable internet speed and its time to get a new one.