Windows 98 upgrade to Windows 2000 or XP My sister is computer newbie and has been given a computer with Windows 98 installed. Now hoping to get onto Broadband but would like to upgrade it to 2000 or XP or is it best to dump this and get a new computer. Is it possible to upgrade this to Windows 2000 or even XP? and any advice re how to do it or how to get the programme (if that is what is required) would be much appreciated.
I think your best bet is to buy a copy of Windows 2000 from eBay. When you insert the disc, it should give you the option to upgrade from 98. Make sure all of her files are backed up, as the upgrade doesn't always work, and a clean install may be required. It would probably be possible to run XP on a machine from the 98-era, but not a pleasant experience. 2000 won't be fantastic either, but it should be quicker than XP (once booted). If you post the exact specifications of the computer (Processor, Hard Drive Space and Memory) I can advise further Thomas
yeah, i both agree and disagree with Thomas chances are that both XP & 2k will operate but as Thomas said it won't launch rockets to the moon, so, i advise you to give the machine to a Linux enthusiast and get a new system
Thanks each. That's really what I thought - get rid and start from scratch but just wondered whether she could save some cash by updating this old one. I will pass the good news on to her
wait. . . there may be some good components worth keeping, for example, the PSU may be excellent and the sound card may also be good, to decide if specific components are worth keeping i personally would like to know exactly what components they are (make & model)
Yeah the PSU might be ok for repairing older PC's, but probably nothing modern. Same with the sound card, I might be wrong in thinking that the PCI slot design has changed between then and now (not AGP to PCI-E).
Yeah what I meant with PCI was that my Granddad tried a PCI sound card from his old 98 machine in his latest PC, and it physically didn't fit. It might have been EISA, but I doubt it...
You boys are a bit too technical for me. :doh: Well - I have heard of the bits you are talking about but that's all. Not seeing my sister for a couple of weeks but again, I will pass info on to her. I am thinking she might take the easy option and just use what she's got at the moment and maybe update some time later when she has learned the very basics.
Before doing anything , What are the specks of this computer (Please) Processor speed/Ram / and hard drive size.. You don't want to waste allot of money if you have upgrade all of these things, when you can get a good used P4 for under $100.00 bucks..
Problem solved. My sister rang to say her son had replaced the computer with a newer one and updated to XP! After thinking about it they decided it wasn't worth paying money out on the older one. She is now delighted that she is connected to Broadband. Thank you all for help and advice.
