Now that I bought winxp and didn't need to actually install it on DD's computer (I did need it to fix the corrupted file and be able to boot up again)...I want to use the disk to install XP on my own computer which currently has win98se on it. As you know already, I am computer...well...challenged...compared to you guys at least. I have some questions: (again...try not to laugh too hard:mrgreen Is this hard to do? How long will it take me? Will it require much extra memory? Will it wipe out all the stuff I currently have on my computer? Any advice will be much appreciated here!!
1. Not hard. About 30-45 mins. 2. Should not require any extra money. 3. Every bit of it. (well technically) 4. Backup everything first but realize...every time you format a hard drive, no matter how good you back things up, you will miss something. Know that going in and you should be ok.
Is this hard to do? No ... it's a step by step on the disk. How long will it take me? Depends on the speed of the PC? Running 98 you probably have an older CPU ... so ... for a novice count on 1 hour at least. Will it require much extra memory? I don't suggest any less than 512 MB. Will it wipe out all the stuff I currently have on my computer? That's the best way to load it. Have it reformat the hard drive during the process. So you need to back up your data first to CD's or another drive. For a good "how to" go to the site below. Skip the intro and scroll down to "Step-by-Step: Clean installing Windows XP (Interactive Setup)" http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp PS: XP should have all the drivers you need but it would not hurt to run Belarc Advisor to identify all your hardware first in case you do need to search for a driver. Run it in the Win 98 you have now and print the results. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download1385.html
Ummmmm.....Can I just say.... .....I love you guys! If you were here I'd give you a Thanks so much! I'll let you know how bad I screw it up, K:lol:
ddrdan, I went to majorgeeks.com and scanned my drivers. It came back that 31% are BAD. Is it worth the $29.95 to join for a year so I can download the drivers?
NO!!!!! Driver updates are something of a scam. You can do it yourself for free. Just download the "Belarc Advisor" and run it. It will come up in a Web type page with all of your hardware and software information. Print it. Then you have something to go by if you need a new driver for the XP install. Here's a link directly to the download: http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=1385&file=1&evp=e626d687c8b0f95c2720434f6ae71a65
I thought I smelled a scam in there... Thanks ddrdan. Yeah, I thought it was kinda fishy so thought I'd ask. DH just called and I told him he better be glad I love him so much. He asked "Why?" I said "Because if I didn't I think I'd marry one of the computer guys on the 4042 PC help desk.":lol: But then....a few mins later, he offered to take DD to the orthodontist in the am so I won't have to wake the other 3 kiddos (and me) up at the crack of dawn. I told him I was his again - marriage is safe. Does that make me easy ya think?? :lol::lol::lol:
exactly what all WILL be wiped out? excuse my ignorance... I know I will lose all pics and documents etc...but will it wipe out all my programs too? So, I will need to reinstall any software I have added like camera and such. And what about the software that came loaded on the pc like my word proc. and such? I'm wondering...with all the pics and documents and schoolwork I have to back up, it's gonna take a fortune in disks. I heard you can get one of those "little black book" portable hard drives for about $70. Wonder if I'd be better off doing that?
The scan states this about memory: (I had some added a couple years ago...if I need more, do you think I can install it myself instead of taking it to BestBuy again?) Drives 30.00GB usable hard drive capacity 15.13 GB hard drive free space Memory modules (c,d) 192 MB installed memory Local drive volumes c: (FAT32 on drive 0) 30.00GB 15.13GB free
Instead of buying a backup drive just buy a new hard drive to put the XP on. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3520121&CatId=134 Leave the old 30 gig drive in the PC to store all your pic's and junk??? Your PC can take 2 hard drives. Your memory: It's real easy to change yourself. here's a site http://www.memorystock.com/how_to_install_168_pin_dimm.htm You currently have a 64MB and a 128MB mem sticks. Your machine (guessing here but with Win98 ... you have SD ram) If you have only 2 mem slots than they are full. Motherboards all vary and without knowing what you have I can't help you decide. But this is what you may want: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=302017&CatId=145 You know though by the time you've spent all this money on the extra's for a few bucks more your looking at a new PC??? It aint the latest and greatest but more than likely way faster than what you have??? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3584419&Sku=E145-2030 B
