Hi all, I could only afford to purchase the Upgrade version of ME. I've heard many people say it's not good to use upgrades. However, I'm going to do a clean install of Win98 SE first, then immediately followed by ME, followed by any updates I need to do after that. Is this the best way to go in ensuring I won't get any problems such as regular crashes and so on? Or should I download updates for Win98 SE first and then install ME on top? Thanks for any information, it's much appreciated.

Most people are having problems with the upgrade. You really should (if you want ME) buy the full version and put it on a clean drive.

You don't need the full version. Wipe out your current hard drive. Then install Me from the upgrade CD. It will ask for your Win 98 CD for verification. Put that in and then put the Me CD back in and finish the install.

Eric is right... as long as you have a regular version of 98 and not OEM "recovery disks" just start the install from the ME cd once you've formatted. after you type in your cd key for ME, the installer will reach out to your hard drive and 'look' for 98... when it doesn't find it, it will ask you to put the 98 cd in so it can 'verify' that you have a version of 98... one other little thing... if your 98 cd is an upgrade cd, you will have to browse to the win98 folder on the 98 cd in order for ME to see the files it needs... there is no difference between the expensive full version of ME and the step-up version except for the extra 'compliancy check' program.

another differance is the extreamely different price. There is another upgrade option that costs more that allows upgrade from 95. Make sure you need ME before buying it. You may end up with more problems

Reality check: Why would you do a clean install of Win98, only to then DOWNgrade to Win ME. MS' latest bloat has been winstoned at some 15% slower than 98. And that's WITH "PC Health" mercifully disabled. Win ME actually supports a narrower universe of apps and devices. User base is finding this out...the hard way. Franticly integrated Media Player7 and Internet Xploder are acknowledged crashware. Then there's the silly contrivance of removing real-mode DOS -- from a DOS-based OS. ...well, Happy Thanksgiving !!!!