What is the difference between these two?

[coomarlin]

Versions of Win ME.

Text

I know Win 98 SE is better, but my aunt insists on getting ME for her new machine. Can I still do a clean install from the cheaper step-up from '98 version? They both say they are upgrades.

 

[Tauren]

The step-up is not the complete version of ME.

 

[Shack70]

They are both upgrades! One will upgrade only 98 and the other will upgrade any other veriosn of windows(3.1,95,98)

 

[coomarlin]

But can I do a clean install? I have a copy of win 98 SE that I can use for proof of upgrade. I don't want to buy the ME Steup from 98 if I can't do a clean instll from it.

 

[jaywallen]

I believe the step-up version will only update very specific parts of the Win98 OS. I don't believe you can do a clean install with it. (Remember, they did this before with the first version of Win98. The Win98SE update would only update a Win98 install. The Win98SE upgrade was capable of a clean install.)

The upgrade, obviously, is capable of a clean install.

 

[reicherb]

Yes you can do an upgrade. Just have a copy of Win98 handy. It will ask for it.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I don't know what Jaywallen is talking about. If the ME step-up only "updates part of the operating system", that's the first time they've made one like that. I used win98 and win95 upgrade disks all the time as full installs. I did it just this week at the computer lab where I work.

I can't tell you with 100% certainty about ME, because I've never installed it from an upgrade. But I know for a fact that all of the versions of win95 and 98 were the same as the full disks if you had a full version of the earlier OS handy.

 

[TatSteeL]

just drop all those windows 9x and go for windows 2k, trust me you'll like. Its real stable

 

[jaywallen]

Rio Rebel,

There was a $20 version of the Win98SE update (NOT upgrade) available from MS and over-the-counter that was NOT capable of a full install. I do know what I'm talking about. I helped a couple of people recover from the disastrous effects of using that version. It absolutely would not install on a clean drive. As I stated, it only specific files in the OS. There was NOT a complete OS file complement on the CD. Fact.

Regards,
Jim

Edit: Here's a URL that speaks to the point --

http://www.winmag.com/columns/insider/1999/072199.htm

Read the section of the page called WIN98 SECOND EDITION "UPDATES" CD CONFUSION. Because the terms "update" and "upgrade" have often been used loosely, there has indeed been a lot of confusion about this. The $20 UPDATE version was a disaster. I never saw anyone use it successfully, even immediately following a clean Win95 or Win98 installation. I guess that's why I can't even find any mention of it at the Microsoft site now!

 

[cpumaster]

Jay,

isn't this thread question about upgrading to WinME? Remember his aunt only wants the "newest and best Windows of all Windows".
Why are you talking about Win98Se upgrade or update instead?
Trying to change the subject?

 

[jaywallen]

cpumaster,

I'm not changing the subject. I'm advising caution. Microsoft does NOT use the terms "update" and "upgrade" interchangeably on commercial packages. I'm trying to keep someone from getting stuck with a CD that cannot perform a clean install of the WinME software. I suspect that the WinME Step-Up is like the Win98SE Step-Up that caused so much consternation for so many.

Rio Rebel thought I didn't know what I was talking about. I posted a reference link.

I'm trying to be helpful to the originator of the thread. What are you trying to be?