Windows XP Pro Purchase - upgrade version?

KYPREO · 2nd June 2005, 6:04 PM

Hi all

I am building a new system and am trying to figure the best way to purchase Win XP Pro.

The proposed system consists of the following basics:
AMD64 3200 (Venice core)
MSI Neo4 Plat SLI
Leadtek 6600GT Exteme PCI-E
Corsair 2x512mb CL2 xms series ram
160gb sata HDD

I am looking at the Upgrade package, which is significantly cheaper than retail and OEM versions.

Now I have two legitimate copies of Windows 98 SE and according to Microsoft's website I am eligible for an upgrade version. But the information on the website is pretty scant on how the upgrade process actually works.

Now my question:
(1) Do I need to first install one of my copies of Windows 98 SE on my new system first? Then install the WinXPP upgrade? OR
(2) Can I install WinXPP Upgrade and use my original installation disc and serial to validate/activate?

I know when you upgrade to Office XP, you can choose either method, ie you don't need the older copy installed first.

If I can do (2) I should have no issues, but if I have to do (1), I am wondering if this is even possible. BIOS will take care of booting everything. AMD offer Win98 drivers for my processor. NVIDIA offers Win98 graphics drivers. But it does not appear that MSI offers chipset drivers for Win98. Would this be enough to at least get Win98 to boot up in safe mode, so I can then upgrade.

If you could share any info or experience, it would be greatly appreciated. I have searched the forum and could not find an answer to my problem.

Iceickle · 2nd June 2005, 7:20 PM

Why dont you ring the friendly people at Microsoft, instead of people who have no idea

(i.e. ME, thats my suggestion anywho)

gords · 2nd June 2005, 8:01 PM

KYPREO: You don't need to have Windows 98 (or whatever OS you're upgrading from) installed on the machine. You install Windows XP Pro Upgrade like you normally would (i.e., boot from CD). At some stage during the install process it may ask you to put your Windows 98 CD in, but AFAIK it doesn't actually do anything except check that you do actually have valid OS media to upgrade from.

I'm not advocating you do this, but I'll include it here to illustrate how the Windows XP Pro Upgrade license and installation works. In theory, you could borrow a Windows 98 or Me CD from a mate, and install Windows XP Pro Upgrade like I described above. Doing this is against the license agreement though. (When you buy Windows XP Pro Upgrade, you get a Certificate of Authenticity like you would if you bought an OEM or boxed license.) You should consider your old Windows 98 license (and CoA) and your Windows XP Pro license (and CoA) to be one entity now. You can't give or sell the Windows 98 license to anyone now, and you can't use the same Windows 98 license multiple times to upgrade to Windows XP Pro Upgrade licenses.

KYPREO · 2nd June 2005, 10:06 PM

Excellent. Thanks very much Gords. No need to borrow a CD (or doing anything dodgy) either because I have my own licensed copy of Win98 SE (2 copies in fact).

2nd June 2005, 6:04 PM	#1
KYPREO Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 580	Windows XP Pro Purchase - upgrade version? Hi all I am building a new system and am trying to figure the best way to purchase Win XP Pro. The proposed system consists of the following basics: AMD64 3200 (Venice core) MSI Neo4 Plat SLI Leadtek 6600GT Exteme PCI-E Corsair 2x512mb CL2 xms series ram 160gb sata HDD I am looking at the Upgrade package, which is significantly cheaper than retail and OEM versions. Now I have two legitimate copies of Windows 98 SE and according to Microsoft's website I am eligible for an upgrade version. But the information on the website is pretty scant on how the upgrade process actually works. Now my question: (1) Do I need to first install one of my copies of Windows 98 SE on my new system first? Then install the WinXPP upgrade? OR (2) Can I install WinXPP Upgrade and use my original installation disc and serial to validate/activate? I know when you upgrade to Office XP, you can choose either method, ie you don't need the older copy installed first. If I can do (2) I should have no issues, but if I have to do (1), I am wondering if this is even possible. BIOS will take care of booting everything. AMD offer Win98 drivers for my processor. NVIDIA offers Win98 graphics drivers. But it does not appear that MSI offers chipset drivers for Win98. Would this be enough to at least get Win98 to boot up in safe mode, so I can then upgrade. If you could share any info or experience, it would be greatly appreciated. I have searched the forum and could not find an answer to my problem.

2nd June 2005, 8:01 PM	#3
gords Thread Killer Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 6,145	KYPREO: You don't need to have Windows 98 (or whatever OS you're upgrading from) installed on the machine. You install Windows XP Pro Upgrade like you normally would (i.e., boot from CD). At some stage during the install process it may ask you to put your Windows 98 CD in, but AFAIK it doesn't actually do anything except check that you do actually have valid OS media to upgrade from. I'm not advocating you do this, but I'll include it here to illustrate how the Windows XP Pro Upgrade license and installation works. In theory, you could borrow a Windows 98 or Me CD from a mate, and install Windows XP Pro Upgrade like I described above. Doing this is against the license agreement though. (When you buy Windows XP Pro Upgrade, you get a Certificate of Authenticity like you would if you bought an OEM or boxed license.) You should consider your old Windows 98 license (and CoA) and your Windows XP Pro license (and CoA) to be one entity now. You can't give or sell the Windows 98 license to anyone now, and you can't use the same Windows 98 license multiple times to upgrade to Windows XP Pro Upgrade licenses. Last edited by gords; 2nd June 2005 at 11:17 PM.

2nd June 2005, 7:20 PM	#2
Iceickle Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Wollongong Posts: 965	Why dont you ring the friendly people at Microsoft, instead of people who have no idea (i.e. ME, thats my suggestion anywho)

2nd June 2005, 10:06 PM	#4
KYPREO Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 580	Excellent. Thanks very much Gords. No need to borrow a CD (or doing anything dodgy) either because I have my own licensed copy of Win98 SE (2 copies in fact).