Installing Windows XP Home over 98 SE

I am running a system with Windows 98 Second Edition on it (installed by the factory before it was shipped), and I was recently given an iPod - which requires Windows 2000 or XP. How easy is it to upgrade the system from 98 SE to XP, I know you can buy XP packages for upgrading systems, but how easy is it and what is it likely to do to my system?

 

two things
1. You can upgrade from 98 to XP using an upgrade CD and given all ideal conditions it goes well; BUT there's a catch. Some issues can carry over to your XP install. Any problems with the system now may bork the upgrade.

2. Backup all your important data and format the pc then intall WindowsXP. Reinstall all your applications

Most of us go for option number 2. Typically what ends up happening is that scenario number 2 becomes the resolution to a failed upgrade mentioned in scenario 1. A clean install gives you the best overal stability.

I would make sure that your hardware is compatible with windowsXP first and foremost.

 

It's likely to make your computer run better than it ever has before. Although I like to do clean installs of OSes, I have upgraded many machines from 98SE to WinXP. Only once did I have anything unusual, and that was one machine's insistance on returning the theme to Windows Classic at most every re-boot-- a minor annoyance, really.