Win 98 to XP home

make sure your computer meets the hardware reqirments, which you can find on the windows xp home page, if it does insert the windows xp home disk and follow the on screen instructions. If the cd doesn't auto start, from whithin windows 98, double click my computer, right click your cd rom drive (usually d:), click open, look for setup.exe, and double click.

Microsoft has a utility called Windows XP Upgrade Advisor, the file download is 33MB and can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

Tech Republic had an article on it, this can be found at:
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-5054719.html

For sure you will have to install your printers. If your hardware and BIOS is up to it everything else should check out. Good Luck.

PS I would spend the extra money and go with XP Pro.

PC Pitstop www.pcpitstop.com has a web based utility that checks your hardware and software for XP Readiness.

Then, run Belarc Advisor www.belarc.com to create a list of hardware and software installed on your PC.

I am leary of many of the "legacy" drivers that Microsoft supplies for older hardware.
If the manufacture of your Video card, Sound card, Printer, and Scanner do not have a XP driver available plan on replacing the hardware, or living with limited functions.

Once you are ready, you need to decide if you want to perform a "clean" installation (recommended) or an in-place upgrade.

For either, I recommend that you back up ALL critical files and settings.

For a clean installation, boot from a W98 startup floppy.
Run fdisk and delete the Primary DOS partition.
Boot from the XP CD.
Install XP.
You will be prompted for your W98 CD to prove that you qualify for the upgrade.

For an in-place upgrade:
Boot into Windows.
Insert the XP CD.
When prompted, install XP.

A third option would be to set up a dual boot system.
This works best if you have a separate hard drive to install XP to.
The advantage of a dual boot setup is that you can run W98 if you have any problems with XP.

After installing XP, you will need to install at least the compatibility and security updates.
The last PC that I installed the updates on downloaded 68MB of files.
If you are on dial-up, you may want to order the security update CD from Microsoft.

Chas

i recommend after you make sure your hardware/software is compatible with the switch, that you format your hard drive and perform a "clean" install of XP. windows seems to have issues with upgrading operating systems over top of each other. remember to back up everything first!

1. Put the CD in and boot it.
2. Stop posting ridiculous questions and wasting everybody's time that could certainly be better spent helping people with real problems etc.
3. You will never work in IT if you are too lazy to try to understand the concepts. You could easily pass coursework and exams by cheating but it will not help you do a real job.

If your computer doesn't meet the following as a minimum, don't load xp on it.

Go hera and download the upgrade advisior.

http://tinyurl.com/u8i

It is large. It will test your computer for compatibility.

PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended.
233-MHz minimum required.

128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended.

You are really gonna need at least 256meg.

1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space.

Super VGA (800 ? 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor.

CD-ROM or DVD drive.

Good Luck Lee

first step is to have a windows xp home ver cd.un install 98 .do not format the hard drive.restart the computer and set the settings to help boot from the cd.the Cd will probably auto run.then follow the steps that they tell u to follow.after the installation is complete restart ur computer.make sure whether the hard disk and ythe other peripherals are compatible to WIN XP home.the sound card may cause a problem,upgrade ur soundcard to be compatible with XP.after installation is complete keep the un-installation option available if XP causes problem.

Run Microsoft's advisor. I think someone has the link already listed.

Microsoft minimum requirements:
CPU 300 MHz
RAM 128 MB
Disk Space 1.5 GB free
Video Card Super VGA (800x600)
Media CD-ROM or DVD

What you will really want:
CPU 400mhz good 600 MHz best
RAM 256 MB
Disk Space 15 GB free
Video Card 1024x768
Media CD-ROM or DVD

Make sure that all of your devices have xp drivers avaible.

If it is a name brand you can visit their site and get the latest drivers.

If not go to the Creative, or Nvidia or who ever makes your device and get the drivers.

Have them downloaded and unzipped. Burn them to a CD.

You will probably have some programs that will have to be upgraded.

Good Luck Lee