Re: Windows XP SB 2
- From: Lem <lemp40@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 16:11:49 -0400
Mike is a novice! Sorry. wrote:
My computer has Windows 98. I do not know which version i have installed or how to find this out. I do know that I will have to upgrade my computer but I thought that for now I could just install the above operating system which i have seen advertised on ebay for around £60. How do i find out what the above OS requires so that I know whether my current computer has enough of everything to install and run it? As you can tell I am a real novice with computers. I want to be able to buy an ipod and my Windows 98 does not allow it i am told. Can anyone please help me, i would be most grateful. Secondly I have been told to buy a dell computer next but how can i compare them with other makes etc?
There are different "flavors" of Windows XP. The items you see for around £60 are probably so-called "OEM" versions. These are intended to be used by an "Original Equipment Manufacturer" -- someone who builds a computer, installs the operating system, and then sells the unit. Dell, for example, is an OEM, and its computers come with Windows already installed.
There is nothing wrong or illegal with an end-user, such as you, purchasing and installing an OEM version of Windows XP, but you should be aware that there are some limitations. See, for example http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/070426 and scroll down the page to "Save money using OEM software"
An OEM copy of Windows XP sp2 should be sufficient for you, but if you wanted the (legal) ability to transfer it to a subsequent computer and the ability to get some installation support from Microsoft, you could buy the upgrade version because your Windows 98 qualifies for this discount.
If you are affiliated with a school or university, you might be able to get a "full" upgrade version for even less than an OEM version: http://www.genstar.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=195 http://www.goto.dealtime.co.uk/xGS-Windows_XP_Academic_Upgrade~NS-1~linkin_id-8000945
As for whether your current computer can handle XP, see
Minimum hardware requirements: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx
Also see
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_9xupgrade.asp
If your hardware is OK, read at least the first several paragraphs (at least down to the heading "XP Boot Floppy Set") of http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
Then copy any data you want to save to an external device (such as burning it to CDs). An upgrade install (if you that's what you do) is supposed to save your data, but better safe than sorry.
If you buy an upgrade version, you can perform an "inplace upgrade" (also known as a "repair install") that ideally, will not destroy your data. See http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xp_in_place_upgrade.htm
If you buy an OEM version, you will have to do a "clean install"
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking
To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
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