Moving to XP--"Upgrade" or "Full"?

[chrislong]

Hi All
I'm currently running Win 98, and thinking of moving to XP in the next few months. Is there a big, or real, difference between the "upgrade" version and the "full" version? My Win98 is a bit troublesome at this point--is it wise to upgrade on top of that, or is it wiser to start fresh with the "full" version? (despite the extra cost...)

 

[AndyHui]

No difference, apart from the fact that the upgrade requires detection of a previous version.

All this detection entails is for you to insert an older Windows CD during the WinXP installation to check for the older version. This is a clean install; you don't need to install the older version first.

Don't upgrade your Win98. Start fresh.

 

[igiveup]

Exactly. I would only recommend upgrading from an NT series, and even then its still not right. Like andy said, the only real difference is in price.

 

[chrislong]

Thanks for the replies--
I have to admit that I'm still a tad confused. Do I have this right?---

I should buy the Upgrade version and install it on my machine (after I have wiped my old 98 install off of it), and at some point it will prompt me to insert my old 98 CD to prove that I owned it? Then all will be OK?

Thanks for your help--

Chris

 

[AndyHui]

That's correct.

 

[mind8field]

so long as it's xp home which is an upgrade from 98. if you want xp pro you have to have win 2k - I'm pretty sure.

 

[AndyHui]

Windows 98 qualifies as an upgrade product for both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

The only time it makes a difference is for corporate bulk licensing programs where you need to pay more if you are upgrading to XP Pro from Win98 as opposed to Win2K.

 

[GrumpyMan]

I got the XP Pro ugrade and it allowed me to put in a Win 95 disk as proof. I always thought that it had to be Win Me or higher, but it is not, a Win 95 disk will do for the pro version to let you install.

 

[Derango]

Originally posted by: GrumpyMan
I got the XP Pro ugrade and it allowed me to put in a Win 95 disk as proof. I always thought that it had to be Win Me or higher, but it is not, a Win 95 disk will do for the pro version to let you install.

I could have swore you had to have 98 to upgrade. Weird.

Yea, the box says the lowest it can be is win98, I repeat, weird

 

[chrislong]

Thanks everyone--you just saved me about $100.

 

[stash]

should buy the Upgrade version and install it on my machine (after I have wiped my old 98 install off of it)

You don't need to format the disk before you install XP. XP will prompt you to partition your drive, and then format a partition to install the OS on.

 

[idNut]

I'm kind of in the same situation. I'm getting a new computer pretty soon and its hard drive is going to be completely blank. I have Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade but I don't think that will work if I just pop it straight in from DOS. Should I get Windows 98 and install it after I've installed 98?

 

[bozo1]

The upgrade edition will install just fine on a blank drive - don't waste your time installing another operating system first. During the install you will be prompted to insert your old OS disc for a minute just as proof that you own a qualifying product to upgrade from.

 

[idNut]

Oh. Well, how do I bypass that, if I can?

 

[Drewpy]

Originally posted by: mind8field
so long as it's xp home which is an upgrade from 98. if you want xp pro you have to have win 2k - I'm pretty sure.

Actually its the other way around. Win2K can only be upgraded to XP pro. Don't know why you'd want to go from 2k to XP home anyways. Seems like a step backwards.

Win95/8/ME can be upgraded to either the pro or home version of XP

 

[idNut]

Nevermind, my friend can loan me his Windows 98 CD.

 

[Patrizio]

I too am moving up from Windows ME to XP Pro.

Has anyone found an XP Pro Upgrade cheaper that the NewEgg Full version for $143.00?

Thanks,

Pat

 

[Semi75]

You really don't even have to have a windows 9x cd but just a startup disk for the 9x. Load up the setup files and the a prompt will show up, don't even bother w/ an fdisk just plug in the xp upgrade or oem cd and you're off and running because it will detect the start up files from 98se.

Btw, the OEM full version is about the same price as the upgrade and sometimes even cheaper provided you are buying hardware at the time of purchase.

 

[Patrizio]

Greetings,

Those of you that are students or teachers might be interested in this: http://www.journeyed.com/ has Microsoft XP Pro upgrade academic version for $89.99. (I just ordered it.)

Merry Xmas to all,

Pat

 

[Patrizio]

I just noticed --after I placed my order with JourneyEd-- that

NewEgg offers the same software for $82.00

and Provantage for $78.89

I know nothing of Provantage --does anybody?-- but I have been very pleased with my purchases from NewEgg.

Take care,

Pat

 

[NokiaDude]

I think that doing a full install makes XP much faster than upgrading. With a full install your hdd is formated, getting rid of all traces of the MS-DOS kernel. I would also resommend formatting in NTFS. I have noticed that it is much more faster than FAT32. So far my combo of a full install of Win XP Pro and NTFS have kept me very happy.

 

[Jeff7181]

What was that file on the WinXP CD that you could edit to change what type of CD it is? There's a file that contains a code that tells the CD what type of CD to act like, Upgrade, Retail, OEM, or Corporate... and there's another line of code that tells it what type of CD key to accept, again, Upgrade, Retail, OEM, or Corporate. Doing that would allow you to buy an Upgrade version and use it like a Retail version...
:Q Have I said too much???

 

[GrumpyMan]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
What was that file on the WinXP CD that you could edit to change what type of CD it is? There's a file that contains a code that tells the CD what type of CD to act like, Upgrade, Retail, OEM, or Corporate... and there's another line of code that tells it what type of CD key to accept, again, Upgrade, Retail, OEM, or Corporate. Doing that would allow you to buy an Upgrade version and use it like a Retail version...
:Q Have I said too much???

Storm troopers are at your door right now! :Q

 

[scottrico]

You can still download the devilsown ver of xp and use the crack to change the key, then upgraid sp 1.
No other copies of any windows ver is needed.


Here come the lock but I dont care!