Re: Upgrading from Win98 to XP Home Edition



In news:CAA87FD2-4C64-46C9-887C-628761F02469@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
xiowan <xiowan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> typed:
> Hi Lanwench:
> Thanks for the quick reply. The computer I'm upgrading only has
> three memory slots; 2 have 128 MB already. Can I put in a different
> capicity such as 256 MB in the remaining slot or does it have to
> match the 2 128 MB cards?

Depends on your motherboard, really. Check with Gateway support.

> And......how do I tell how much memory the
> old computer can handle without suffering a premature demise?

Check with Gateway or the documentation.

> I'm
> sure XP can handle anything I put in but does the motherboard have a
> maximum capacity?

Yes, likely.

> I plan on just wiping the new hard drive before
> installing the O.S. so should be no virus probs. I have already
> bought a new AGP graphics card and PCI sound card compatible with XP
> or Win98 so just need to decide when the best time to install
> them.....prior to, or after XP O.S. install?

Well, if you're not planning to do an upgrade in place, but wipe/reinstall,
install the new hardware first.

> I still am confused on
> how to get the "device manager" to find the new software on the card
> cds or from downloaded files.
I suppose there must be a command you
> type in the window under "search for" ?

Choose the option to load drivers from "location x" (that being a folder
where you've got the drivers) when prompted - if you even need to do this.
Windows will likely recognize most of what you install. But do have drivers
handy for the video & network card at the very least, so you can do the rest
of the driver/Windows updates on that PC. (don't download device drivers
from Windows Update!)

>
> xiowan....retired in tucson
>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> In news:AA2714AA-C0AD-4412-9504-E1B3AB7EF536@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
>> xiowan <xiowan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> typed:
>>> Hi All:
>>> I recently bought a new dual core XP computer to replace my old
>>> computer with a bad hard disk. Feeling brave, I installed a new
>>> 120 GB hard drive and doubled the memory on the old computer,
>>> installed Win98 and realized that it was about to become obsolete
>>> next year. I am planning to give this old computer to my niece as
>>> a first computer and would like to update it to XP Home O.S. It is
>>> a Gateway Pentium II desktop with 256 MB RAM, 120 GB Hard drive
>>> and runs at 350 MHz. This seems to meet the requirements for XP
>>> Home O.S. My question is....I think the old AGP graphics card and
>>> PCI sound card may not be compatible and am wondering if I should
>>> replace them with new ones prior to or after installing XP Home
>>> O.S.? I am not too familiar with installing drivers and software
>>> for new hardware and thought maybe it might be easier to do with XP
>>> than Win98? I usually run into trouble when the box comes up
>>> saying new hardware has been detected and it wants me to point out
>>> where the driver and software are! I know it's on the cd that
>>> comes with the hardware but don't know how to tell the O.S. how to
>>> download the drivers and software. Any help you can provide me
>>> would be appreciated!
>>>
>>> xiowan....retired in Tucson
>>
>> Try running the compatibility check (insert the upgrade CD and
>> autorun should take you from there). You can also check the hardware
>> compatibility list (see Microsoft's website for this; I don't have a
>> link handy.
>>
>> Re driver updates - get them from the hw manufacturer as needed, and
>> install them in device manager.
>>
>> Remember to uninstall your antivirus software before you do this
>> upgrade, and I also suggest you run some antispyware scans to make
>> sure the machine is as clean as you can get it.
>>
>> Note that 256MB RAM will run, but it'll be pokey. If you can upgrade
>> it to 512 she'll have a much better experience.


.

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