Upgrading to XP. Format or not?

[Xp]

I'm running Win98SE right now. Should I format and do a clean install or overwrite the older OS?

 

[bacillus]

suggest a clean install for your new OS!

 

[jpetermann]

Clean install with NTFS format if you plan on staying with XP. Otherwise, format in Fat 32 which will let you go back to 98 if you want.

 

[Mitzi]

I would certainly format - that way you can be sure that if you encounter any problems they are not related to the existing Win98 installation. It also is a good oportunity to clear out months worth of cr@p DDL files/temporary internet files and the other such stuff Win9x is so good at collecting.

 

[Athlon4all]

Clean, with using NTFS. Upgrades from 98SE aren't the best thing.

 

[SaigonK]

Definitely do a clean install, makes things alot easier and you know its from "scratch", makes it easier to rule out problems in the future or during setup.

 

[Abzstrak]

Another vote for a clean install with NTFS only

 

[TheWart]

unanimous! hehe. clean install with ntfs, altho if u have space i would recommend making a FAT32 partition (new one, don't keep win98 one) for access from a dos boot disk during emergencies/bios/firmware updates.

 

[Xp]

Thanks for the reply!
I'm burning my files & drivers to a CD now, preparing for a clean install.

Format in NTFS? Does that mean formatting/partitioning from the WinXP CD?
Can I do that using Windows 98SE StartupDisk?

 

[GooberPHX420]

Clean OS install my friend. It is well worth your time. Take the extra 45 mins to format and put fresh XP on it.

 

[TheRabbit]

Format with NTFS

worked perfectly for me

 

[c0rv1d43]

<< Format in NTFS? Does that mean formatting/partitioning from the WinXP CD?
Can I do that using Windows 98SE StartupDisk? >>



Best way to do a clean install of WinXP is to boot from the setup CD. (You'll have to tell the BIOS to boot from CD. Then switch it back to its previous setting after you've completed the install process.) Read the setup dialogs as you go along. You can delete the present partition(s) on the drive and create and format new one(s) before proceeding with the installation.

- Collin