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Hi all - I'm upgrading my father-in-law's computer from 98SE to XP (plus a few bits of hardware which I'm ok about doing - it's the software I struggle with!) and am after buying the XP disc to do the job. I see there are a few versions of it though...

1. OEM version inc SP2
2. 'Upgrade' version inc SP2
3. Retail version (most expensive) inc SP2

Would I be right in thinking we'd need the upgrade version?

Thanks in advance for your help.

According to my wife, who knows these things, you can use the Upgrade version, but you should bear the following in mind:
1. Back up all data before doing anything
2. Boot from the Upgrade version CD
3. Perform a "clean" install rather than an "upgrade"

You mustn't uninstall Window 98 first as the upgrade CD will look for it, but if chose "upgrade" rather than "clean" install at step 3., you will be left with a messy system.

Hope it goes well.

Stevie wrote:According to my wife, who knows these things, you can use the Upgrade version, but you should bear the following in mind:
1. Back up all data before doing anything
2. Boot from the Upgrade version CD
3. Perform a "clean" install rather than an "upgrade"

You mustn't uninstall Window 98 first as the upgrade CD will look for it, but if chose "upgrade" rather than "clean" install at step 3., you will be left with a messy system.

Hope it goes well.

Thanks Stevie

I got the XP disc for my own PC a few years ago, but can't for the life of me remember whether I re-formatted my H/D or not. I'll get the upgrade disc anyway.

Richard

I got a full version of XP from ebay here. Genuine version with licence etc. Just upgraded my dad's PC and set up a wireless network for him. When I installed it I just opted to boot from CD and chose the quick format option to ensure none of the old OS was left behind.

As Stevie says, back up any data he wants to keep. If it's the same as my dad's PC, I spent more time hunting the stuff down than I did installing XP

Adam

Bear in mind that if you buy an upgrade disk, it will ask you to insert an old OS CD-ROM (e.g. your ME 98 installation disk) during the installation to validate that you qualify for the (alledgedly cheaper) upgrade.

Cheers,

Paul

Richard, you have a PM

Steve

Thanks guys - I'll just use his old 98SE disk to verify the new'un so that shouldn't be a problem.

Steve - many thanks