Upgrading from 98 to XP right away on a new computer..

[Lexxon]

Hi.

I'm currently having the problem that I don't have an operating system for my new computer. The full retail version of XP Home is $200, while the upgrade is only $100. I do have Windows 98, and a code from my current desktop.

What I would like to know is, if I were to install Windows 98 to a new computer, then right away upgrade to XP, then to SP2, would there be any downside to that (other than it would take longer)? If I can save $100, I will.

Thanks a lot, guys. The parts could arrive tomorrow and be build Saturday, without an OS I'm kinda screwed. (and I am NOT using 98se!!)

 

[MrChad]

Buy the upgrade version.

You will not need to install Windows 98 first. You can boot from your XP upgrade disc directly and use that to format your HD and install your OS. At some point, XP setup will ask you to insert your 98 disc for upgrade verification, but 98 does not need to be preinstalled for XP to work. How to install or upgrade to Windows XP

Your XP disc will probably come with SP2 already on it. If it does not, you can slipstream SP2 onto your XP setup CD prior to install.

Good luck with your new PC!

 

[Lexxon]

Thanks, just what I needed to know.

 

[Broadkipa]

My XP home upgrade disk will not boot on start up, it allways says this disk must be accessed from within windows. I have always had to install 98 first.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Broadkipa
My XP home upgrade disk will not boot on start up, it allways says this disk must be accessed from within windows. I have always had to install 98 first.

Did you boot from the actual CD or from a boot disk first?

 

[ColKurtz]

Originally posted by: Broadkipa
My XP home upgrade disk will not boot on start up, it allways says this disk must be accessed from within windows. I have always had to install 98 first.

This is why I hate upgrade versions.

You can download boot disks from MS to avoid installing W9X first.

How to Obtain Windows XP Setup Discs

edit -As Mr. Chad siad, setup will still ask for your W9x CD since this is an upgrade version.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: ColKurtz

Originally posted by: Broadkipa
My XP home upgrade disk will not boot on start up, it allways says this disk must be accessed from within windows. I have always had to install 98 first.

This is why I hate upgrade versions.

You can download boot disks from MS to avoid installing W9X first.

How to Obtain Windows XP Setup Discs

edit -As Mr. Chad siad, setup will still ask for your W9x CD since this is an upgrade version.

If you use a Windows 9x boot disk, you won't be able to run XP setup from the CD. However, the CD should be bootable directly.

 

[ColKurtz]

If you use a Windows 9x boot disk, you won't be able to run XP setup from the CD. However, the CD should be bootable directly.

That link wasn't for W9x boot disks, it's for Windows XP boot disks.... For the .0001% of people who want to run XP on a system that doesn't have a bootable CDrom drive. MS mentions on that page that future releases will require bootable CDRom drives.

I've never used an upgrade version of XP Home. I figured from the poster's description that it was not bootable.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: ColKurtz

If you use a Windows 9x boot disk, you won't be able to run XP setup from the CD. However, the CD should be bootable directly.

That link wasn't for W9x boot disks, it's for Windows XP boot disks.... For the .0001% of people who want to run XP on a system that doesn't have a bootable CDrom drive. MS mentions on that page that future releases will require bootable CDRom drives.

I've never used an upgrade version of XP Home. I figured from the poster's description that it was not bootable.

I know, I was just pointing out that you usually don't need XP boot disks to install XP.