Can You Upgrade Windows 98 to Windows XP?
If you're used to Windows 98, making the step up to Windows XP can help you do more with your computer. However, your computer must meet the system requirements of Windows XP beforehand; many older computers that came with Windows 98 installed will fall short in processor, memory and hard drive capacity, as well as other factors. Determine whether upgrading your hardware is cost effective before you make any additional purchases.
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XP Requirements
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Windows XP requires at least a 233 MHz processor, 64 MB of memory, a hard drive with 1.5 GB of free storage space, a Super VGA video adapter and monitor with 800-by-600 resolution, a CD-ROM drive and input devices such as a keyboard and mouse. However, with these minimum system requirements, Windows XP may exhibit poor performance, and some features may not function. To get the most from Windows XP, your computer should meet the recommended system requirements of a 300 MHz Intel Pentium or Celeron or AMD K6, Athlon or Duron processor and 128 MB of RAM, in addition to the minimum requirements.
Choosing an Edition
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If you're upgrading from Windows 98, you can install either Windows XP Home Edition or the 32-bit version of Windows XP Professional. Windows XP Home Edition is best for personal or home office use. It includes many features that Windows 98 lacks, such as a skinned interface, ClearType, System Restore, networking support, Device Driver Roll Back, Internet Connection Sharing and the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. Windows XP Professional is appropriate for businesses, including additional features such as Remote Desktop, Simple File Sharing, File Encryption and Network Bridge.
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Cost
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If your computer already meets the Windows XP system requirements, you can upgrade inexpensively from Windows 98. However, if your computer doesn't have what it takes to run Windows XP, the cost of hardware upgrades can be prohibitive. In many cases, a new computer will cost less than the upgrades. You can even purchase a used computer with Windows XP for less than it would cost to upgrade just your memory, graphics card and hard drive. If you do choose to replace your computer, you can move your files using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Backups
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Before upgrading your Windows 98 computer to Windows XP, you must back up all your files to removable media. You can use Microsoft Backup to complete this task, but you must install the software first. To do this, click "Start," "Settings" and "Control Panel." Then open "Add/Remove Programs." Select the "Windows Setup" tab, then click "System Tools." Select the check box beside "Backup" and click "OK" twice. You can use tape backup, floppy disks, SyQuest or Jaz disks to create your backups. If you wish to back your files up to CD, DVD, a flash drive or external hard drive, you must either use other software or back them up manually in Windows Explorer.
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