How do I move from Windows 98 to Windows XP?

May 28, 2004 6:04 AM

Updating Windows98 SE to Windows XP. (mi)

Understand, I come from the Unix world, so I don't know alot of things about Windows that are second nature to most of you.

I have my old copy of Windows 98. I have a new update disk for Windows XP. I would be re-installing my old system then installing XP over the top of it, right?

Do I need to get all the patches and upgrades first (are they even available now?), or would those be anticipated by the upgrade disk already?

posted by RavinDave to Computers & Internet (10 answers total)

No, just use the XP disk, when it asks for an old copy of your OS, just pop the 98 disc in so the XP installer can check that you have a valid old OS. Do a clean install.

Once it's installed, you should go online and get SP1 before, and then all the other updates and patches.
posted by riffola at 6:21 AM on May 28, 2004

I had a longer reply, but riffola covered it. One note: It's important to do it this way because you want your file system to be NTFS, not FAT (there's no good reason to be using FAT).
posted by malphigian at 6:25 AM on May 28, 2004

Response by poster: Once again, friend riffola saves my chestnuts from the fire.(and thanx to malphigian on preview).

Thanx! ;)

Just so you know ... this is the first day I've had an opportunity to assemble my new system. Got all the pieces assembled in boxes in my living room. Looking to dual boot XP32/XP64 so I can keep track of the progress on the 64 end (I took your advice on d/ling the trial Win64 couple with the system recommendations I got from you guys earlier).

Wish me luck.
posted by RavinDave at 6:30 AM on May 28, 2004

RavinDave, you've got the ASUS motherboard right?

Here's the order I suggest you follow...

1) Install XP
2) Install RAID/SATA drivers during the XP installation *if* needed
3) Install the Gigabit LAN drivers from the motherboard drivers CD
4) Get SP1 and all updates from MS
5a) Install Via 4-in-1 drivers
5b) Install AMD Cool & Quiet drivers if needed.
6) Install DirectX
7) Install video card drivers
8) Install sound card drivers.

Here's a *great* guide to installing XP, it's for Intel CPUs but just susbtitute AMD counterparts where needed.
posted by riffola at 6:38 AM on May 28, 2004

Response by poster: Very nice ...

Yes, using the ASUS K8V.

I have (2) 80GB WD SATA drives ... but I wasn't planning on taking advantage of RAID. I'm looking to using using each for independent installs (I've been reading up on dual 32/64 systems at planetamd64). I might have use for RAID later, if I add something for important data.

I read that there is a quirk: "if you install a 32-bitXP after the 64-bit version, ntdir and ntdetect.com will be replaced and you will not be able to boot into 64-bits" unless you copy those files from the 64-bit install CD back into the boot partition.

Promises to be educational.

As for the rest, I have gathered most the 64-bit drivers. Now I just need a few more shots of tequila before I commence.
posted by RavinDave at 6:55 AM on May 28, 2004

Actually, there is ONE reason to use FAT, or at least there was the last time I installed a Linux dual-boot... As of 7 months ago (so who knows today), linux couldn't read NTFS, so if you wanted to share things between an XP and a Linux OS, you would probably use four partitions, as I do:

1) NTFS WinXP Core & Programs
2) Linux
3) FAT Shared Data Partition
4) Linux Swap

But if dual-booting isn't what you're after, don't worry yourself and just do the NTFS. It really is a lot better.
posted by kaibutsu at 6:58 AM on May 28, 2004

Response by poster: Kai ...

I have a *nix machine in its own box. For this particular machine I'm hoping to dual boot the current 32-bit Windows XP along side the trial version of Windows 64-bit that MS is making available. There are problems running 64 alone at the moment ... mostly driver related along with the lack of key stuff like firewalls and antivirus stuff (yeah, I can get an Enterprise Edition of AntiVirus, if I wanna buy 5 licenses). ;)

This way I can monitor the progress and be prepared when the 64-bit MS OS is ready.
posted by RavinDave at 7:10 AM on May 28, 2004

Before you connect your new XP to the internet, download and install a good firewall (ie, get it now and burn it to CD and have it ready). Boot up XP and connect to the internet without any protection and you will be attacked within minutes (Blaster, spammers, hackers). And that is not an exaggeration. If you can, install SP1 before connecting to the internet, too, and a good virus checker. And Spybot. And wear some good quality gloves.

Best thing to do is download and read this PDF from SANS which should prepare you well.
posted by humuhumu at 7:22 AM on May 28, 2004

Here's my tip : before attempting the conversion (which will be probably easy and successful) do backup any relevant data (documents, passwords, mail setting, isp settings, digital photos, you-name-it).

Obvious tip, right ? Judging from the incredible number of screams of horror I heard from a number of clients, it's not obvious.
posted by elpapacito at 7:29 AM on May 28, 2004

Sidetrack: Read support for NTFS has been available for ages under linux, at least since 2001. Write support is a different story I admit, though it's shaping up nicely from what I hear.
posted by fvw at 7:54 AM on May 28, 2004