computer help?

Question

is there any way to update my computer like from windows 98 to windows xp?? for a really cheap price like under 100 dollars??

Answer 1

Computers that run Windows 98 sometimes run really slow with Windows XP. It may not be worth it.

Answer 2

If you have the installation media, i.e. a CD with Windows XP Home or Pro, you can usually do an in-place upgrade. That means upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows XP directly. You would just insert the WinXP CD in your PC, when prompted to upgrade click "Yes", and the upgrade will proceed. Your data and installed applications will be preserved, though without 100% guarantee they will work fine in all cases.

However you will be better off to perform a "clean" installation of Windows XP on your PC and reformat the hard drive in the process. THIS WILL ERASE EVERYTHING ON YOUR DRIVE so you would need to back up all of your data files before you did this. However it will perform much better (assuming you have sufficiently powerful hardware and RAM to begin with).

If you choose that route you should also "audit" your PC to see what applications you have installed that you like and would want to re-install once Windows XP is up and running. Take notes on what you have installed that you like. For any commercial applications like MS-Office, make sure you have the license key and installation media handy also. Also make sure that you know where all of your digital photos are for example, since some applications do not store them by default in "My Pictures".

To your question of "cheap", I would check eBay and Yahoo Auctions, newegg.com, and other online sites such as buy.com to see if you can get a copy of Windows XP for $100 or less. If you do it will likely be the Home Edition rather than the "Pro" version, but Home edition is absolutely fine for most users.

If you do opt for the clean install option, you should probably solicit the help of a knowledgable friend to get you through the process. Another option to consider is to have the work done by a service provider such as a local computer shop, or Best Buy for example.

Finally, if you cannot find a good deal on the software, consider saving the money to buy a new PC that comes with Windows XP. This will save a lot of headaches and there are a lot of unbelievably good deals on PC's these days if you shop around. That way you will get a "refresh" on the hardware, and assurance that it will run Windows XP well. If you buy from Dell or similar vendor they usually offer support / warranties for anywhere from 3 months to a year. Do your homework.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The upgrade version does cost less and you might get it for less than 100, surf for it.

Here's a site for how-to:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_9xupgrade.asp

But check out your computer for ability to run XP. You will not be that happy with it if you machine is not up to it. On the other hand, I have installed XP on a machine that had an old AMD K-6 and only 128 ram and it works fine for email, word processing and, general surfing.

Answer 4

yah go to uhh bestbuy.com or circuitcity.com and look for windows xp and look for the upgtade version its like 100 or at frys.com clikc on store or somethin its lke 70-80 for the oem version and 100 for the regular upgrade bad thing is for win2k u can only upgrade to xp pro

Answer 5

Probably, I would just go to the windows website and look through it to see.

Answer 6

Yes....Find someone who has a copy. I have a brand new one I only used once. If you want to buy it I will sell it to you. How big is your hard drive?

Answer 7

Click this link:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=upgrade++XP&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=30097&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=

It cant get any lower than ebay!

Or try http://www.amazon.com

Answer 8

Amazon.com, $89.99

Answer 9

go to circuit city and buy the software.....