On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:01:47 -0800, dk_ <nobody@spamless.com> wrote:

> 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?


During installation you can create the main partition the size you
want it. Just leave the remainder unallocated and then create the
other partition(s) within Windows afterward.


> > > 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???


Yes, that's what "convert" means.

To convert to NTFS, you use the CONVERT command. But first read
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm because there's an issue regarding
cluster size that isn't obvious.

Also note that conversion is a big step, affecting everything on your
drive. When you take such a big step, no matter how unlikely, it is
always possible that something could go wrong. For that reason, it's
prudent to make sure you have a backup of anything you can't afford to
lose before beginning.


> I purchased the XP Home Edition Upgrade package now and am ready to go!
>
> Thank you again.


You're welcome. Glad to help.



> > > 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.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Ken and others,

Did it.

The Windows XP Home Edition upgrade package rocks!

With the XP upgrade on my 500 MHz IBM Thinkpad running 500 MB RAM has just
become a modern machine!

The speed is very good, in case people are wondering if it is a good idea to
upgrade an old slow machine. Do it!

Now the wireless connections are just like any modern machine. It's now easy
to connect to any available network. This was very difficult and often
impossible running Windows 98se on this machine.

Also, my USB 2.0/Firewire PC card works perfect. Along with the wireless
card. With Windows 98se, the machine would freeze when the PC card was
'safely removed'. I tried several kinds of PC USB 2.0 cards, and they all
froze Windows 98se. XP fixed that. All the USB drive now mount easily.

Thanks to everyone for the per-upgrade help.

BTW: I did not install a new bigger dirve yet. I just did the upgrade on top
of Windows 98se, 19 MB partition. It went very smooth. Almost all programs
work perfectly. I did have to update some IBM software, but it was all
available from IBM and easy to find and do.

Thanks once again for the help.

-Dennis

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



In article <hjdko3li80p2ebptedrlqe3mru5rnvon5v@4ax.com>,
"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:

> On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:01:47 -0800, dk_ <nobody@spamless.com> wrote:
>
> > 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?
>
>
> During installation you can create the main partition the size you
> want it. Just leave the remainder unallocated and then create the
> other partition(s) within Windows afterward.
>
>
> > > > 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???
>
>
> Yes, that's what "convert" means.
>
> To convert to NTFS, you use the CONVERT command. But first read
> http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm because there's an issue regarding
> cluster size that isn't obvious.
>
> Also note that conversion is a big step, affecting everything on your
> drive. When you take such a big step, no matter how unlikely, it is
> always possible that something could go wrong. For that reason, it's
> prudent to make sure you have a backup of anything you can't afford to
> lose before beginning.
>
>
> > I purchased the XP Home Edition Upgrade package now and am ready to go!
> >
> > Thank you again.
>
>
> You're welcome. Glad to help.
>
>
>
> > > > 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.

>Ken and others,
>
>Did it.
>
>The Windows XP Home Edition upgrade package rocks!
>
>With the XP upgrade on my 500 MHz IBM Thinkpad running 500 MB RAM has just
>become a modern machine!
>
>The speed is very good, in case people are wondering if it is a good idea to
>upgrade an old slow machine. Do it!
>
>Now the wireless connections are just like any modern machine. It's now easy
>to connect to any available network. This was very difficult and often
>impossible running Windows 98se on this machine.
>
>Also, my USB 2.0/Firewire PC card works perfect. Along with the wireless
>card. With Windows 98se, the machine would freeze when the PC card was
>'safely removed'. I tried several kinds of PC USB 2.0 cards, and they all
>froze Windows 98se. XP fixed that. All the USB drive now mount easily.
>
>Thanks to everyone for the per-upgrade help.
>
>BTW: I did not install a new bigger dirve yet. I just did the upgrade on top
>of Windows 98se, 19 MB partition. It went very smooth. Almost all programs
>work perfectly. I did have to update some IBM software, but it was all
>available from IBM and easy to find and do.
>
>Thanks once again for the help.
>
>-Dennis

OPA!!!!!!

- Thee Chicago Wolf