Thanx. The upgrade will be going on Dell Latitude CPxJ, 20 GB HD, 1.86 GHz
PIII, 256 MB RAM.. Everything checks out on the upgrade advisor. Just need
to get the BIOS updated.

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

> Dixonian69 wrote:
>
>
> > Hope you bought a full version and not upgrade!!
> >
> > waste of time to upgrade over 95/98. probably can't do it anyway!!
>
>
> There are three things wrong in this brief message, above:
>
> 1. Upgrading from Windows 98 is not at all a waste of time. 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.
>
> 2. You *can* upgrade from Windows 98, but not from WIndows 95 (but you can
> use Windows 95 as a previous qualifying version when doing a clean
> installation with an Upgrade version--see below).
>
> 3. If he owns Windows 98, I hope he bought an *Upgrade* version, since it
> contains exactly the same software, he qualifies to use it, and it's
> considerably cheaper than the Full version. Buying a Full version when you
> qualify for the Upgrade is simply a waste of money. And note that an Upgrade
> version can do a clean installation, just as the Full version can.
>
> The requirement to use an upgrade version is to *own* a previous qualifying
> version's installation CD, not to have it installed. When setup doesn't find
> a previous qualifying version installed, it will prompt you to insert its CD
> as proof of ownership. Just insert the previous version's CD, and follow the
> prompts. Everything proceeds quite normally and quite legitimately.
>
> --
> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>
>
> > "steve r." wrote:
> >
> >> I plan to upgrade to XP Pro from 98 SE was installed as an upgrade
> >> fom W95. Should I expect any unusual problems? Thanks.
>
>
>