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Windows XP: Upgrade from Win98 to WinXP
This is an UPgrade...???
by skycatcher - 5/12/06 2:16 AM In reply to: Upgrade from Win98 to WinXP by mack9930317Let's get this straight... Are you claiming that changing 98se for XP is actually an UPgrade....!!!!
Microsoft is stopping support for 98se because it's now perfect with nothing left to improve. 98se with still do everything that is required only Faster, and it can do it on a slower PC with less RAM and a smaller HDD.
Try putting two identical PCs side by side - one running a fully updated 98se (including the Unofficial 98se SP2) and the other running a fully updated XP. Press both start buttons and see who wins. More whistles and bells doesn’t mean a better system and I’ve never found a properly set up 98se to be ‘unstable’.
This could start off a whole new debate... teehee !
Upgrade to Windows XP
by ezeze5000 - 5/12/06 4:00 AM In reply to: This is an UPgrade...??? by skycatcherWell by the time you get all the hardware upgrades, purchase the XP upgrade disk and spend the time to do the upgrade you could go to Wal-mart and purchase an upgrade PC (no monitor) for a little over $300 U.S.
These systems allready have XP installed and would run much better than any old PC could be upgraded to.
Of course if you wanted a good virus free PC you could just load one of the many Linux Desktop Distro's on your old PC.
Most all of the popular Linux Distro's are located at:
www.distrowatch.com
I hope this helps!
note: Try the live distro's first, they won't hurt your existing windows installation (puppy linux is a good one).
XP is bigtime upgrade
by Aaronatblue - 5/12/06 1:15 PM In reply to: This is an UPgrade...??? by skycatcherXP is far superior to windows 98 by leaps and bounds. 98 doesn't have anywhere near the manageability, driver compatibility and ease of installation for new hardware. It's difficult to secure, doesn't connect to a domain properly etc etc.....
Try plugging in a usb drive to your *perfect* os. Doesn't work... you need to install a driver cd. 98 is a pain in the butt OS without support for modern hardware.
Try installing a 300 GB drive on windows 98 and see how well FAT32 supports it....
Only good thing about 98 is it's small footprint.
You're claim about performance is somewhat accurate, but at the same time rediculous. Again, XP is a much more modern OS and it supports a ton of new types of hardware and features out of the box.
It's like I'm driving a hummer and you're saying your beaten up old motorcycle is faster. obviously it's faster, but try driving that motorcycle in the rain....
re: 98SE vs Win Xp
by jpotter85 - 5/12/06 8:50 PM In reply to: This is an UPgrade...??? by skycatcherI totally agree with skycatcher on this point: win98 is faster, especially on older systems.
I also do not like being forced to upgrade just because the almighty MicroSoft has decided that they will no longer support older operating systems. They do not seem to get that people sometimes do not have the means to keep up with all the upgrades. Not just the operating system, but all the other peripherals, including ram memory and then printers and scanners which won't work on the new OS. Enough is enough! I am seriously thinking of going over to Linux. MicroSoft has been 'dick-tating' long enough what is on our computers, and how we use them.
I can see the point of businesses wanting the newest and best, but your everyday person who just wants to surf and visit with their computer from home doesn't need the so-called 'improvements'. I know of no one who actually 'needs' a huge new hard drive, and yet we've been forced to buy bigger and more trouble-prone equipment for the last 8 years just 'cuz "they" say so. Well, I ain't doin' it no more. I will never fill up an 80 gig hard drive, never mind a larger one, with the things I am interested in. So, I'm not interested in any more upgrades. Period. 
windows 98 update
by cody - 5/12/06 11:09 AM In reply to: Upgrade from Win98 to WinXP by mack9930317yes you can update iam tec an your pc that your telling can be yes after i read your letter i see you can do but check memmory to
my thoughts
by ackmondual - 5/12/06 11:30 AM In reply to: Upgrade from Win98 to WinXP by mack9930317<B>As far as your current specs go</B>, Truthfully, you can get away with what you have.
I also upgraded fom win98 (this was SE) to winXP Pro and had:
-P3 550MHz
-128MB SD RAM PC133 upped to 640 MB of RAM
-new 80GB hardrive
-13.6GB hardrive became my 2ndary
speed was fine. I had to disable the translucent selection rectangle effect back to the classic dotted line square found in win2000 and before since it would bring my system to a crawl when it got bigger than 320x320 pixels. Everything else ran OK. Not as smooth as win98 SE mind you, but it was still acceptable.
RAM was fine too. IIRC, i had 128MB at first, but I upped it to 640MB. There was a slight performance boost, but it could've all been in my head.
I tend to store lots of music, PC game files, PC games themselves, media, and other stuff on my PC, so I needed more than the 8GB available after winXP installation. It'll greatly vary by what you do with your PC. For some, 5GB free will be more than anyone will ever need. For the digital or industry person, they can really use 500GB+. Get familiar with your mother's PC usage habits to determine if another/bigger hardrive is in order.
Just keep in mind, after install, winXP eats up about 2GB of space, but there's more to that. Using System Restore eats up space depending on how far back of a system state you want it to store. Virtual memory, and temporary internet files all use the same space. I'd say give assume 5GB of all uses for winXP, required as well as some optional ones that are good to have just to be on the near safest side.
If you want more optimum performance, say...
-somewhat faster but definately more noticeable speed
-better multitasking (5 browser windows, 3 Office documents, some more complex apps like video player, and better performance due to less virtual memory use)
-more headroom in terms of freespace.
I'd say get at least a P4 2GHz and 512MB of RAM. The processor is likely a stretch, but RAM can be easily updated. Even a 512MB stick of RAM, giving 768MB total is a cost effective, and easy Do It Yourself upgrade.
<B>Alternatives to upgrades</B>
Many home users like winXP for sure, but for the sake of performance, consider getting win2K. win2k is considered the best Windows OS from an IT standpoint. It's got the best features for such low requirements. WinXP is superior, but only if you have the hardware to run it. Coporate environments prefer win2k since they won't need as high of hardware to get it to run as smoothly, but also mentioned by the other poster, winXP does have some issues that can still be problematic. These are moreso for IT admins.
If you really must stick with winXP, then consider turning down all the special effects, the winXP interface (will be replaced with the classic win98/win2k interface), and other visual effects. If you will have issues with your posted setup, doing all that will reduce the load on your system resources enough to make things smoother for sure. Without all that "bling", winXP is just win2k with better networking built in.
<B>NOTEs</b>
win98 ain't bad, but i had several lousy moments with it during my 4 year with it. Granted, i could've taken better care of my PC on the inside of the hardrive, but I do feel winXP is better in that regard.
Some of your apps may not work. I tried changing the .exe properties of certain apps to win98 compatibility, but that didn't work. Was able to find either winXP compatible versions or winXP equivalents of the apps I used to use on win98. My flight stick only works on win98 tho, and I may replace that one day when I get back into flight games. So yeah, keep in mind, some of your hardware and software may not make the leap across. Most likelythe former.
Still debating if I want to go from win98se to winxp
by Maxxam - 5/12/06 1:50 PM In reply to: my thoughts by ackmondualMy Dell Dim with win98se is running perfectly, but without the ability to update from MS, it makes me nervous for the future of using it on the internet. My system is a 700mhz, 256ram and boots up just as fast or faster than my Toshiba laptop with winxp home. If I do not get winxp on the Dell, what will I do for security on the machine when MS stops supporting it?
re: Still debating if I want to go from win98se to winxp
by ackmondual - 5/12/06 6:58 PM In reply to: Still debating if I want to go from win98se to winxp by MaxxamM$ already stopped supporting win98 SE. Some1 on this forum mentioned the reason being it's already been as patched as they'd like.
but without the ability to update from MS, it makes me nervous for the future of using it on the internet
Are u referring to if u have the hardware to upgrade or the ability (legal or permission-wise) to upgrade to winXP? With your specs and a retail copy, it should work.
still debating if I want to go from win98se to winxp
by Maxxam - 5/14/06 10:20 AM In reply to: re: Still debating if I want to go from win98se to winxp by ackmondualWas not aware that MS had already stopped supporting Win98. I was able to get a critical update from them last week. Well, I guess I will keep an eye out for an upgrade WinXP. Suppose Home edition is better for an older PC with only 256 ram. I have only two slots for memory sticks and have 128 in each. Would these be able to handle 256 each if the pins match? If so, I could pull the old 128s out and replace with 256s. My desktop is a Dell Dimension XPS T700r with 10g hd. Want to upgrade the hd to 120gb.
768MB (3x 256MB)
by linkit - 5/14/06 11:55 AM In reply to: still debating if I want to go from win98se to winxp by MaxxamYou need to get the EXACT memory type. You can discover what type by reading the computer specifications at Dell.com or entering your model number at Crucial.com.
I entered your system at Crucial.com and looked it up at Dell.com. Looks like you the max RAM is 768MB (3x 256MB) of PC100.
The cost of the new HD, RAM, Windows XP, is very close to the NEW $299 Dell computer currently being offered.
IMO, I'd forget the upgrade and just get a new computer. Install Linux on your old computer and use it for Internet and general office work if you don't want Win98.
Maxxam, according to linkit, you have 100 MHZ Memory sticks
by DarCLew2 - 5/14/06 9:51 PM In reply to: 768MB (3x 256MB) by linkitThe bad news is they are not made anymore, the new ones are 133 MHZ. I had a Compaq that had 3 100 MHZ sticks, 64 MB, 32 MB & 16 MB. I did get lucky when I put in a 128 MB, 133 MHZ stick in place of 16 MB 100MHZ but a second one burned up! $99 plus tax. That meant the cost was $198 and I could have gotten a new computer a lot easier. Didn't pay to be stingy for me. Darrell Lewis
Dell memory warning
by linkit - 5/14/06 10:26 PM In reply to: Maxxam, according to linkit, you have 100 MHZ Memory sticks by DarCLew2I was also thinking that Maxxam could use PC133 RAM, mainly because I have used PC100 and PC133 modules (exclusively and mixed) in Intel PIII systems with great success.
Crucial.com lists both PC100 and PC133 modules up to 256MB as being compatible; however, Dell.com has the following note for the Dimension XPS Txxxr systems:
''NOTE: Only 100-MHz DIMMs are supported. The system can include both ECC and non-ECC memory; however, to support ECC, all installed DIMMs must be ECC-capable. ECC DIMMs have an odd number of memory chips on the module and non-ECC DIMMs have an even number of chips.''
My old PIII 500MHz (not a Dell) has a mix of the two memory module types and works fine. As you lamented, I too wish I could go back in time and put all the money spent on upgrades for that computer towards one of today's new machines. It currently is a Linux box.
Looks like upgrading for me is not good idea
by Maxxam - 5/15/06 9:41 AM In reply to: Dell memory warning by linkitThanks linkit and darclew2. Probably is better to just buy a new computer, now that I think about it. A new one will have faster cpu, better graphics, etc. Just did not like the idea of more landfill with the old computer. It is still working like a champ if I do not install anything else on it. But the idea of no more updates from MS is why I wanted to upgrade OS. Maybe use offline or install Linux. Which one is popular nowadays? I have only used the live CDs of Mandrake, Suse, and Knoppix. All were the latest from last year, which are probably outdated by now. Should I look into buying full versions of Suse or Red Hat?
reply
by ackmondual - 5/15/06 12:54 PM In reply to: Looks like upgrading for me is not good idea by MaxxamThe free distros of Linux seem to suffice for many, but of course, paid copies will have tech support, if free distros even have it at all. Not too familiar with the different versions, so u'll have to do research there or wait for suggestions from others.
As for an extra PC, having even an extra tower unit ain't so bad. You get extra flexibility in your computing uses, especially when multiple ppl are in your house. But yeah, the only issue with a new PC is transferring all your old stuff to your new PC. A cheap USB thumb drive can do that. And even a $300 to $500 PC will keep basic users' needs set.
some suggestions
by linkit - 5/15/06 1:48 PM In reply to: Looks like upgrading for me is not good idea by MaxxamFree Linux distributions:
SuSE works great on my old P3 computer.
Xandros and Fedora have also worked.
Ubuntu seems to be gaining popularity (I'm trying it today).
You can download many of these and burn them to CD or DVD for installation. You can pay for a disk to be mailed to you, too. If you don't want to deal with large downloads or torrents, look for a Linux magazine at your local book/magazine store. Many of them have a disc with a free Linux distribution.
Some references:
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
http://www.linux.org/docs/beginner/distributions.html
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