install windowsxp over 98?

I'm thinking about buying and installing windows xp home edition ( OEM edtion) over my win98se. Win 98 seems to crash every 4 or 5 months for different reasons. Is xp more stable? Is this a good idea? I can buy xp for $99.
Here's info on my computer:

Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
Clean install using /T:C:\WININST0.400 /SrcDir=C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS /IS /IW /IQ /ID /IV /IZ /II /NR /II /C /U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IE 5 6.0.2800.1106
Uptime: 0:01:20:55
Normal mode
On "JIMSCOMPUTER" as "Default"
Compaq Computer Corporation
GenuineIntel Pentium(r) III Processor
384MB RAM
56% system resources free
Custom swap file on drive C (12031MB free)
Available space on drive C: 12031MB of 14020MB (FAT32)
Available space on drive D: 4649MB of 5835MB (FAT32)
Available space on drive E: 72631MB of 78140MB (FAT32)
Available space on drive F: 118MB of 124MB (FAT)

 

I read the thread----I don't have the win 98 disk, it didn't come with the computer.

 

the standard setup by MS is to have the previous OS disk available so that it can determine if you're eligible for an UPGRADE. If you're upgrading the OS without formatting then you don't need the disk. Though we recommend that you start from scratch and we also recommend the PRO version.

 

take their advice and backup your important data to disc, and do a clean install. you will have a much happier rig. also here is a link to a site that will test your machine to see if your puter can handle xp


http://www.pcpitstop.com/xpready/default.asp

 

Re: WiseWiz would know....

Huh? What??? Oh.

I don't think I'd chance wiping the drive if I had no older version CD and only an Upgrade version of the new OS.

BUT ... Way back in the foggy bottom of my memory, there seems to be a way to copy one of the files from the old 98 install to a floppy, then wipe the drive and put that single file back, and then point the Upgrade to that file ... and it works.

Anybody here remember that one?

 

do you know anybody whos got an earlier version of windows you can borrow the cd from just to upgrade even a 95 will do
cos a format and clean install can help prevent any issues that many ppl experience when just upgrading over the top of your old os
and like kodo says if you can stretch a few dollars more go for xp pro

 

i believe i read somthing alonf these lines long ago in this forum...


if you have the RECOVERY disks that came with the computer, they should have a legitimate copy of windows98SE on them and therefore work as verification when its asks for the old disk.

i am now trying to find that thread....

 

my mistake.

however, if it will save you time, i will give you a legitimate win98SE product key off of my certificate of authenticity
i dont use the thing anymore....

 

Hmmmm not certain if the system looks for the AIDA32 file or not. We just did the upgrade thing on the wife's puter (from 98SE to WinXP Pro) and had problems with it. Ended up having to wipe the disk (she placed all her important files on my E drive), fdisk it, format it and reinstall with the upgrade before installing 98SE. It did look for certain files to verify we had a required OS before upgrading, but I'm not certain what files those were. I would not chance the upgrade w/o having the original OS disk handy. You would not necessarily need 98 however, just any original install disk from 95 on up will do. Definitely go with WinXP Pro.

 

HMM. Looks like the concensus is if I don't have the 98 disk don't do it. I ran the test and was advised that my bios might be too old to be compatable with winxp. Don't have a clue on how to update my bios. Is ther another windows version I should be looking at?

 

Updating the bios is relatively painless. There's always word of caution if done wrong though.
What is your motherboard?

 

just try to elimiate doing a complete restore every three months. Not sure what is the best way to go about accomplising that goal. Just using the cpu for mostly personal/some business.

 

Hey Robo, I represent that!! LOL

 

Some info that is not widely known I don't think.


A Windows 95 Companion CD is considered qualifying media to a Windows XP upgrade CD.

 

do you mean like a Win 95 Plus CD? If so, I didn't know that. Thanks for the information, I thought it was only the OS CD's that qualified you.

 

I see, thanks for clearing that up. Been a LONG time since I've even seen a 95 system. LOL

 

Hey,
I've got my 98 product key but no disk. Is that enough info for the xp upgrade to run?

 

An OEM copy of Win XP Home is a full version and therefore doesn't need a qualifying product CD for an upgrade install. The only version that you need a qualifying product CD for is the Retail Upgrade version which costs $20 more then the OEM Full version.

 

Nope.

Now if you had the CD, but no product key, that would work.