I am tired of websites not supporting my OS. I can't purchase a new PC, but wanted to upgrade to WinXP from Win98se. What's the best way to do so? The full installion disk or just the upgrade?

380mb ram
Authenic AMD 400mhz processor
total 10gb hd (6gb & 4gb)

CAHOLO

Are you sure you just don't have to upgrade your browser? Websites seldom relate to OS:es... (IE6 is compatible to win98SE isn't it?)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie...

Anyway, if changing to XP, You need the full installation since XP is not an upgrade from Win98. Make sure you get the SP2 version installed as quick as possible for safety reasons, especially if you're online.

Expect the system to be a lot slower compared to Win98SE (even if you change the settings, which you should, for best performance).

I'd recommend a new computer.

(XP is still better than Vista in my opinion)

I have IE 6 already. Some websites require to download a program to fully use the site to upload pictures or to play the games, which the program won't work on my OS. I have Cable for my ISP (Comcast). I can't use the Macfee thats free with the service, cause it doesn't support Win98se. They said WinXP is highly recommended to use their cable ISP. My PC already runs slow on the cable. Many PC games I would like to purchase, doesn't support my OS. I just wanted to upgrade to WinXP, until I can afford to build a better PC. But that's what I thought I would need the full installation CD to upgrade to WinXP.

CAHOLO

I was under the impression you could use an upgrade disk from 98 to XP. Of course it is recommended that you do a clean instal of XP which can be done using an upgrade disk as long as you have the installation disk for 98. there are guides available to tell you how.

That said, it is doubtful upgrading your operating system on an old 400Mhz system with only 380mb ram will achieve anything. The operating system may support more of the games you want to play but your hardware probably won't. And running XP with less than 512mb ram is likely to be slower than your current operating system. And seriously , a 10gb harddrive? Installing XP will take up about 3 gb and any other progs you instal will rapidly fill it up. You need to leave at least 15% of the drive empty at all times to avoid crashes. That would mean you only have about 5gb of room available for programs & data.

My personal recommendation is not to waste any money on upgrading the operating system on that PC. Wait until you can get a newer system

I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

Nooner; "You need the full installation since XP is not an upgrade from Win98."

oh yes you can XP Upgrade from Win98 Win98SE and WinME, if you have the genuine installation CDs of one of those OSs. IF not, then you can go Full Retail/OEM.

XP Upgade would be cheaper in $$$ than the full Retail XP.

CAHOLO, your current system would run XP Home/Pro, BUT you wouldn't enjoy it as it would be very sluggish. And as Richard above said, get a faster PC with at least 256Mb Systems RAM......preferably 512Mb >>> you will enjoy the XP Experience :)

EDIT: i ran XP Home just recently ona 15Gb HDD (before i got this new 160Gber just recently), had lotsa data on it, few games, and a bitta Free Space left (not a great deal) and everything ran well. But your 10Gber is stretching it a bit.

(previously Robmoski)
Central Coast NSW Aussie

at Micro$oft >>>>>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316639

(previously Robmoski)
Central Coast NSW Aussie

I started to write a response, then took another look at the OP. I see that 10GB isn't a single drive...it's 6GB + 4GB. This is NOT a system for XP. Win98 should run reasonably well on a 400MHz/380MB system provided you keep it "lean & clean". This is by no means an XP gaming machine. You could improve performance by adding more RAM, a better CPU, larger HDD & discrete video card but it wouldn't be worth the "investment", unless you can get a really good deal on used parts. Regardless, no amount of upgrades will turn this rig into a viable gamer.

EDIT: just dug up the specs on the system. There's no AGP slot & the RAM is already maxed out...don't waste your time upgrading it:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...

JackDog: You're right. Thanks for updating me about upgrading :-)

I've had XP running on a system similar to the one described by the OP. However, it ran as slow as molasses in the winter time. But I'm confident it would work except for the size of the hard drive. You will most definately want a larger HDD. I doubt you could even install on the one you have now with 98 already on it and whatever app's you've installed.

If it were me, I'd get a copy of XP (you can upgrade from a full blown copy of XP as well as do a clean install from scratch. You cannot do a full [clean] install from scratch with an upgrade copy) and I would get a new, larger hard drive (recommend minimum 20 GB's). I would change the jumper on the existing hard drive and make it slave and the new one master. I would do a clean install of XP to the new HDD with the old one unplugged. Then after doing the install and updating, I would power off the PC, reconnect the old HDD and copy whatever data I wished to retain from the old HDD to the new one. Once finished, you could then wipe the old drive, repartition it to a single drive and use it as a storage space for data.

Nooner: "JackDog: You're right. Thanks for updating me about upgrading :-)"

no problems sport :)

(previously Robmoski)
Central Coast NSW Aussie

CurtR

"You cannot do a full [clean] install from scratch with an upgrade copy"

You certainly can do a full clean instal using an upgrade disk.
But you need to have the original instal CD for the "Qualifying Product". The old operating system does not need to be installed.
During setup you get a prompt for a qualifying upgrade product. At this point remove the XP instal CD, insert the CD of the previous operating system. Once verified swap it back out and continue the XP instal.

I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.