Upgrading/Installing XP Pro over 98 SE

[mtnmom2]

ok, several questions here.

Ok, this probably isn't a new question but I've decided that I need the latest and greatest... I have 2 harddrives from 2 separate computers that I had (1st one (1998) was put together for me, the 2nd (2001) I did myself). I don't have all the specs but now I am using the latter's mobo/cpu and combining the 2 hdd (3.2gb fugitsu and a 6.4 maxtor). Both have/had 98SE on them. Was using the fugitsu to boot up w/ and the maxtor for extra space. From what I have read, I'm wondering if I have enuf space or do I need to get a bigger HD? And that isn't even the most pressing problem.

I started to upgrade the smaller harddrive last night and it kept telling me I didn't have enuf space so I kept deleting programs (extra stuff). Even after paring it down to what I thought were the essentials (the other drive is full so can't copy a lot onto that without deleting 'stuff', not that there isn't stuff that can be deleted, I just didn't want to delete it if I didn't have to; So instead of the upgrade, I thought I would just do a clean install but it still gives me a message indicating there wasn't enuf space on the partition. ie it wouldn't just erase the partition and copy the new OS over it. WHat did I do wrong? Now it won't let me boot up the fugitsu and the maxtor will only boot up on the safe mode. What is the jumper config on the drive? (thought I had written it down when I made it the slave but can't find the note) I have the jumper now vertical on the right and horizontal on the 2 upper left pins. The only new hardware is my monitor (mag inoversion flat screen) which loaded fine on the older hd. When I go to restart the computer hangs up.

ok and don't tell me that I haven't a clue what I'm doing cuz I already know that. why else would I be here? I know a little bit, maybe not enuf but I'm not afraid to try. So help please.

What I would like to do at this stage is to be able to boot up the Maxtor 6.4 gig drive (use the fugitsu 3.2gig as extra storage). I need to pull the driver off of the fugitsu for the monitor (my best attempt at trying to get the Max to boot up correctly). Can I do that at this point?

 

[spyordie007]

The 3.2 isnt going to be large enough to install XP on (as you already found out); however you could install it on the 6.4 if you do a clean install (I'm willing to bet if you do an upgrade you wont have enough space).

I'm not sure why you're trying to pull the driver for your monitor, windows xp should run just fine with its built-in drivers. Besides whatever driver you would have used under 98 likely wont run under xp anyways.

 

[mtnmom2]

any special instructions for doing a clean install? I don't have to go and reformat the Max?

 

[spyordie007]

I would move everything off of it and reformat. I'm not sure how much space you've used on it but you're probably not going to have much left after you install windows+sp2+software and to be safe I would remove everything and reformat as NTFS first (you can do this as part of the XP instal).

Better yet if you can spare a few more $ go and buy yourself a newer (and faster) drive; I'm sure you could find a 30-40GB drive for very cheap. It would be worth your while.

 

[mtnmom2]

well, that would make my boys happy (they'd get their gaming computer back). Hmmm, guess I'll have to see how much that all would be (new tower, though wish I could use the old 98 one, new mobo, processor,....... ka-ching, ka-ching. you sure you don't work for AMD or Intel?) Yah, yah, I could just buy the bigger drive BUT........

Thanks for the info, Spy.

 

[spyordie007]

no I dont work for AMD or Intel (or even a hardware manufacturer); I've just run XP on 6GB HDs before and know that it can be painfull if you want to do much more than email/surf the web because you run out of space very quickly.

And I wasnt neccisarily indicating that you'd need to go buy a new one either; if you look around you could probably get yourself a 40GB for $30 on FS/T or ebay...

 

[mtnmom2]

Hey, I was just kidding. I saw your website. It's just that this Mobo/setup is almost 4 years old anyway. If I'm going to put out for a newer hd I might as well see what's faster etc. Heck, if I can find a set-up to fit in the old tower, I'd go for it but most newer mobo won't fit in it and the back isn't compatible w/ all the newer plug and play/usb hookup thingies. Plus I want to use my new flash drive and have a usb hookup on the front. Maybe, I can trade it in.

I'm still appreciating your input. thanks for your time.

 

[VirtualLarry]

there was a thread in the Hot Deals forum, a Maxtor 60GB at CompUSA for $30 out-the-door. Probably sold out, but you could pester them for a raincheck I suppose, or camp outside until they restock.
Edit: I had a test install of XP + SP1 on a machine with a ~3GB drive, and .. there definately wasn't a lot of free space left, I think XP took up 2.5-2.8GB worth of space itself. Plus, a drive that old, is a poor performer when it comes to virtual-memory and the swapfile. Do yourself a favor and upgrade, please.

 

[mtnmom2]

Ok, I think the advise on the upgrade is good and will eventually do that but for now to get my system going again, I'm going to install it on the 3.2 gig drive and use the 6.4 for storage. I actually did the install but on boot-up I get two options: to boot to the xp or to boot to the original win98. The boot to the win98 works okay but the boot to the xp freezes at a screen that says that a file cannot be found (spec: system32/hal.dll). I have looked on the xp cd and that file isn't even on there. Where can I get this file from? And has anyone else run across this problemo.

 

[mtnmom2]

update: reformatted the Maxtor 6.4gig drive w/ XP. Works great so far. Still have 98 on the fujitsu and so can boot up which ever I want. Will install Office 2003 hopefully tonight. So far no incompatibilities and none of the problems that I've seen so far. Maybe someday I'll get that bigger drive but for now I'll have to do w/ what I got.

Thanks for all your help!