In article <14rfo31jejuq0tbdqek0vnochfpfql3086@4ax.com>,
"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:

> On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:22:45 -0800, dk_ <nobody@spamless.com> wrote:
>
> > Ken and all (so far),
> >
> > Thank you very much for the information!
> > The one remaining question is:
> >
> > ...Will the 'Home Upgrade Edition' doing a clean install be able to verify
> > a
> > previous Windows installation (onto a newly formatted hard drive in this
> > machine) by using the IBM disks that came with the computer??? (These disks
> > are not stand alone Windows 98 install disks AFSIK.)
>
>
>
> Do you mean that you have a Windows 98 restore CD, rather than an
> installation CD? If so, it's a little more complicated, but it *can*
> be done. First restore from the Restore CD. Then run the XP upgrade CD
> from within that restored system, and change from Upgrade to New
> Install. When it asks where, press Esc to delete the partition and
> start over.
>

I guess it's the IBM Windows 98 restore CD.

Ok great, I now understand how to use that restore CD!


Now another question regarading partitioning and the 'i386 folder'...

Is there a way during installation/uprade (or do I do the following after
installation)... setup a separate partition with the i386 folder and any
other recommended files that might be handy to have available for the future?




> > I will have to do a clean install, because the current hard drive in the
> > computer is small and is of course formatted to FAT32.
>
>
> The fact that it's FAT32 is not relevant. Windows XP supports FAT32
> without a problem. Or, after installing XP, you can convert from FAT32
> to NTFS.


Wow. Can the FAT32 to NTFS be done without losing data???

I purchased the XP Home Edition Upgrade package now and am ready to go!

Thank you again.

-Dennis

--
Dennis Kessler
http://www.denniskessler.com/acupuncture


> > I will install a
> > larger drive.
>
>
> If you replace the drive, you *can* do a clean installation, or you
> could clone the old drive to the new one (using software such as
> Acronis True Image or Ghost) and do an upgrade.
>
>
> > I will have a Ghost backup of the current drive. Not worried about data
> > loss.
>
>
> OK, then there may be little downside to a clean installation for you.
>
>
> > I'm also curious about the option to move the 'Upgrade version' to a
> > different machine in the future. How is that done legally?
>
>
> Same as a Full version. There's no prohibition about moving to a new
> computer, except for OEM versions.

This is great.

>
> > Info greatly appreciated!!!
> >
> > Thank you.
> >
> > -Dennis
> >
> > --
> > Dennis Kessler
> > http://www.denniskessler.com/acupuncture
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------
> >
> > In article <p9efo3pkprtmiqrk9se9dn542v2co791ts@4ax.com>,
> > "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> >
> > > On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:09:11 -0800, dk_ <nobody@spamless.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I have an old IBM laptop A20m running a Celeron 500MHz with 512 MB RAM,
> > > > running Windows 98SE.
> > > >
> > > > The laptop is a hand-me-down and it is not actually registered to me in
> > > > any
> > > > way. I do have the original IBM disks.
> > > >
> > > > I would like to upgrade to XP.
> > > > Here comes the dumb questions...
> > >
> > >
> > > Not dumb at all.
> > >
> > >
> > > > Do I purchase an upgrade, or a stand alone XP full version?
> > >
> > >
> > > You *can* buy either. Since the Upgrade is cheaper, and since you
> > > qualify to use it, you should clearly buy the Upgrade; buying the Full
> > > version would just be wasting money. Note that both of these will do
> > > either a clean installation or an upgrade installation, although to do
> > > a clean installation with the Upgrade version requires that you have
> > > your Windows 98 CD available to insert as proof of ownership when
> > > Setup prompts you to do so.
> > >
> > > Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing
> > > cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous
> > > versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost everything, and
> > > usually works very well.
> > >
> > > My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much
> > > easier than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and
> > > reinstall cleanly if problems develop.
> > >
> > > However, don't assume that doing an upgrade relieves you of the need
> > > to backup your data, etc. before beginning. Before starting to
> > > upgrade, it's always prudent to recognize that things like a sudden
> > > power loss can occur in the middle of it and cause the loss of
> > > everything. For that reason you should make sure you have backups and
> > > anything else you need to reinstall if the worst happens.
> > >
> > > Also note that there is a third type of CD, an OEM version. But it has
> > > the following disadvantages as compared with the retail version:
> > >
> > > 1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
> > > installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold,
> > > or given away without the computer.
> > >
> > > 2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.
> > >
> > > 3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them
> > > with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your
> > > OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or
> > > you can get support elsewhere, such as in these newsgroups.
> > >
> > > It's disadvantage number 1 above that's the deal-breaker
> > > for a generic OEM version, as far as I'm concerned. An OEM version
> > > usually costs only slightly less than a retail Upgrade version, and I
> > > think the Upgrade is worth that slight additional cost to get rid of
> > > that restriction.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > And what about
> > > > which service pack#?
> > >
> > >
> > > Anything you buy today (unless it's bought used) will come with SP2,
> > > and that's fine. If you somehow got one without it, you'd have to
> > > download it, but that's not a big problem (unless you have a dial-up
> > > connection).
> > >
> > > Also note that SP3 will probably be out soon, so you'll want to
> > > download that when it's released.
> > >
> > >
> > > > And Home Edition or Pro?
> > >
> > >
> > > That depends entirely on your intended use. Based on what you've said
> > > so far, almost certainly Home will be just fine, and Professional
> > > would be overkill--but you, not us, have to make that determination.
> > >
> > > XP Home and Professional are identical except that Professional
> > > includes a few features (mostly related to security and networking)
> > > missing from Home? Most home users don't need and would never use
> > > these extra features and will see no benefits by upgrading.
> > >
> > > For details go to
> > >
> > > http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_home_pro.asp
> > >
> > > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp>
> > >
> > > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h.../choosing2.asp
> > >
> > > Also note another point, not included in any of the above:
> > > Professional allows ten concurrent network connections, and Home only
> > > five.
> > >
> > >
> > > > Where is the best legitimate place for making the purchase? What should
> > > > I
> > > > expect to have to pay?
> > >
> > >
> > > Google and look around on the Internet. As a starting place, an XP
> > > Home Edition Upgrade (which is probably what you should buy) is $94.99
> > > US at Amazon.com. You can probably find it a little cheaper if you
> > > hunt around.