O.K., Call me stupid, BUT, How can I update from Windows 98 to Windows XP?

Question

I have a "previously used" computer that still operates on Windows 98 and there are some programs that I can't use properly like Yahoo Messenger as it would on Windows XP. Suggestions are helpful.

And I don't want Windows Vista; I hear that it still has bugs on it's system.

Answer 1

If you want the cheap way, get an OEM version of WinXP. Then just pop-in the cd in the cd rom. Follow the instructions. But before you buy it---check to see if your computer meets the recommended requirements for XP.

Answer 2

Okay, two things. XP might not work well or work at all on an older computer. If you post your computers stats (processor speed, memory size, hard drive capacity) we can see if XP will work.

The second part, you can purchase or find a XP upgrade disk that will update your system form 98 to XP, but I highly suggest you don't do that. Rather, back up what files you wish to save and do a complete install, which means a reformat of your system.

A third part would be do not even consider Vista since you stated an older computer, I'm 99.9% sure your hardware will not support Vist OS.

Answer 3

You did not say much about your computer.
Windows 98 would mean it is 7-9 years old.

For XP I would recommend a minimum 256 Mb RAM and 1.5 GHz processor. If you are below 1 Ghz don't even try. Put the $100 for the XP upgrade toward the new computer fund.

Answer 4

Start Win98. Put in the XP CD. If there's no autorun, go to the XP CD from My Computer and double click Setup.exe.
Don't worry about the FAT32 stuff... XP can use FAT32. Later you can use XP to convert the FAT32 to NTFS anyway.
You might want to check that all devices have drivers for XP first, though.

Answer 5

There is a XP home Upgrade disk, However since Win98 is a FAT32 OS, It has to be entirely removed and the Storage Drive has to be repartitioned to NTFS.
So you might as well just buy the XP Home OS and Set your computers boot 1st sequence to CD, and boot to the XP OS and wipe out 98...This way if you need to install XP again its not going to ask you for the 98OS disk first, which the Upgrade XP version will do, to verify you have a OEM Microsoft product your upgrading from.

Answer 6

Before you spend any money - Get UBUNTU (or XUBUNTU if your computer has less than 256MB of RAM).

It's a free, reliable and up to date operating system.

You can explore it from the "LIVE CD".

It's easy to install and use. You can dual boot it with other operating systems.

Once you have it installed, you gain access to thousands of free programs created by the open source community. There is excellent support - see the WIKI starter guide, and the Linux forums.

Always back up your data before making changes to your computer.

Answer 7

domicile windows XP directly enhancements once you're at present utilising a decrease version of domicile windows. yet i think of it might have problem once you're upgrading from domicile windows ninety 8. propose to have a sparkling set up or format your disk before installation XP.

Answer 8

Buy Windows XP and install it on your computer. But you should forget about XP now, go out and buy Vista instead.

Answer 9

you need to buy an upgrade to XP

check out the xp specs though first as if you were on W98 the PC may not be able to handle it (very doutful it would handle vista) - you don't want to waste your money

Answer 10

Check out the link to do it according to Microsoft.

However, you can boot to Win98 and put the WinXP disc into the cdrom. The WinXP disc will auto start, just follow the prompts.