Window 98 to Windows Xp

I have Windws 98 I want to keep all my orginal files cn i keep them and still install windows Xp wth out haveing to lose everything on my harddrive

 

In a perfect world. But the reality is that many of your programs will not like the transition. XP is a completely different "family" of Windows and the update can lead to a lot of problems, especially with installed programs. Many programs, like Norton Utilities, just plain refuse to work after an update since their installers actually contain a different version for the NT family.

You should save everything that is critical before you try any update. Then you could try updating from 98 and see how it goes. If it ends up with too many problems, then you could format the drive, install a fresh XP cleanly, and reinstall your programs. That is likely to work the best.

Most Win98 programs will still work in XP. There is a "compatibility mode" for programs that need a Win98 environment.

 

Its not a perfect world but there is a solution in this case. The use of third party software such as Partition Magic 8 (download a trial copy) or Ranish Partition Manager (free) would allow you to create a second partition on your disk without losing your data.

You then boot into Win 98, insert your XP disk in the drive and elect to install XP IN FULL (not upgrade) on the second partition.

This will present you with a menu at booting and give you the option to choose the OS you wish to boot to.

Generally, it is a better idea when installing XP, to have a dual boot arrangement because you will still have a working OS (Win 98) should XP take exception to any hardware on your system.

I followed the procedure above until I got XP just right and had also backed up my data to CD-RWs. Since I did not need 98, I later formatted my partitions, merged them with PM8 and installed just Win XP. Saves the hassle of updating two OSs and also bearing in mind tha Microsoft will shortly discontinue support for Win 98.

 

Mahmud603 ---
Other than installing 98 after XP on a second partition, I did exactly as you did. I fell prey to the slightly exaggerated claims that some make about my 98 games not working on XP. After I discovered that by hook, crook, or update, 99% of my 98 programs would work on XP, I merged the partitions, too.

Since cris classified him/her self as a "beginner ", I thought that recommending that procedure was a bit much, as I always do when recommending someone else follow the same, sometimes serpentine, paths that I follow myself .

But I agree that if cris is up to it, your idea is a good one.

 

Thanks Abraxas. I was not disagreeing with you but simply pointing what was possible.

Leave the choice upto "cris ".

By the way, installing 98 after XP is not possible in the normal manner but requires third party software and can be long winded.

In the final analysis, I never felt the need for 2 operating systems since I am not a gamer.

 

Installing 98 second is not a beginner's chore, for sure. Having an older copy of Boot Magic that was a standalone helped a great deal. But it is certainly the hard way to do things.

PS. I'm not really a "gamer" either. But the idea that there was something I may not be able to do if I ever wanted to was nagging at me. I'm sure you know the feeling. I like everything to work correctly, even if I never use it .