I can't upgrade because it says the setup can't do that. I'll have to erase everything and install it that way, but I'm afraid that I'll lose my drivers for my DVD drive and CD burner. Will XP automatically download the drivers through the "add hardware" feature?
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I've installed XP maybe over a hundred times and I've never seen XP not have the drivers for cd drives, hard drives or floppy drives.  Even when I change them out for different drives XP always recognize them.  These drivers are native to all versions of Windows 95 and up.  So the answer to your question is yes xp does have the drivers for your dvd drive and cd burner.  \n\nHowever, you may have trouble with drivers for your other devices (depending on how new they are) such as modem, audio, graphics, NIC and sound.  If they're older devices, xp will probably have the drivers.  The newer they are the more likely it won't.  Also when you do your windows updates use the custom option instead of express and you may find some drivers there.  But again you won't need to do any of this for your cd or dvd drives.
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Just borrow a Windows XP Home Edition CD from one of your friends and use your product key.  It should work just fine.
10642
As long as your computer meets the requirements for windows xp you should be able to upgrade directly from windows 98 by just insterting the disc while windows 98 is running. \n\nThese are the bare minimum system requirements for Windows XP, but I think they are being rather optimistic.\n\nThe minimum hardware requirements for Windows XP Home Edition are:\n•Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300 MHz is recommended)\n•At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended)\n•At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk\n•CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive\n•Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing device\n•Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600)or higher resolution\n•Sound card\n•Speakers or headphones
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Windows XP 64 bit Edition is for use with 64-bit processors and applications.  At this point in time, there are not enough applications to warrant upgrading the system.  I recommend keeping everything as is.\n\nAll your old programs and drivers will work, because XP x64 is naturally backwards compatible with XP x32.\n\nIf you have any further questions, please email techsupport@thepcmonitor.com
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You cannot install a version of XP that came preinstalled in another PC.  This is because the PC's part serial number is attached to the XP OS that is existing in that PC.  The pairing of serial numbers have to exist in the same machine.  Otherwise, it will not install properly.
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after installing the card and restarting the PC you should see the message "new hardware detected", then follow the instructions on the screen. if you're asked for the CD then insert the XP Home disk. Maybe this is even not necessary  if the installer find an appropiate driver in the driver directory.\n\nedit:\ni forgot to mention you must be logged in as administrator
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With XP the drivers identify themselves. Use the START->Control Panel->Add Hardware \nthe missing HW should be identified and insert the CD with the drivers or copy the drivers to a place on the disk and indntify that place.
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No.\nYou may trash your windows xp install if you try to install 2000\n\nYou could however format everything, install 98, then install 2000, then install XP. All on one drive if you want. You just cant install previous operating systems\n\nAlternatively, if you have enough RAM and a copy of Virtual PC or VMware you can install 98 or 2000 as a virtual operating system.\n\nGood luck.
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If it is an upgrade CD then no, you will have no problems installing XP over 2000, but if it is a full version installing over 2k, then pay close attention to the installation.  There will come a point when it will ask you if you want to install with or without formatting.  You do not want to format.  You will lose everything.  When you chose not to format, it will say that your Windows 2000 installation will become unstable.  That is fine if you're only going to use XP.  When the installation is complete you will see not only your old WINNT folder, but a new WINDOWS folder.  The latter is XP.\n\nBefore you begin your installation, rename your Documents and Settings folder to something simple such as Docs or Documents.  XP's installation will create a new Documents and Settings folder and may erase any documents, settings and email files you have for all your users.  Making a backup to disk is highly recommended.\n\nYou may have to re-install some programs.  Especially those that rely on your registry for information.  When XP installs, it also creates a new registry.  Make sure you have your installation disks for all your hardware, games and software that you plan to use.  Even if the drivers/files are still on the computer, the new registry will not be able to find them so a re-install will be necessary.\n\nBackup, backup, backup is the best advice I can give you.\n\nGood luck.  I recently installed XP over 2k and it is great.
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I don't know what that guys talking about cd+rw... doesn't exsist, i'm sure he's thinking of dvd + or - R/r. CD's are a bit simpler. no need for format wars.\n\nThat said make sure it is fact a CD-r/w drive that you posess. the front of the drive should have a logo that says "compact disc ReWritable" \n\nif it is in fact a CD-rw drive you may have to upgrade the firmware or driver. \n\ndepending on your operating system there are different ways to get to the device manager. in XP its start>Control panel>performance>system>hardware tab> device manager. \nin the device manager you should see\na + next to dvd/cd rom drives. expand to see your cd-rw manufacturer and model. Type this in to a browser with the word firmware. I'm sure tons of sites will come up with detailed instructions on how to upgrade you firmware.\nif you are using windows 2000, 98 or ME you may also need to find a new driver. also detailed info on the net. sorry i cant give you an exact web address becuase i do not know your OS or cd-rw model. just do a google search. \nafter doing this get roxio or nero. they are the most prominent and user friendly burning programs.\ngood luck.
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You can upgrade, but you need to create a new XP Pro CD with Service Pack 2 - the process is called slipstreaming.  See:
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Windows XP with a DVD player and CD burner
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to do this legally, you need to purchase an additional upgrade licence from microsoft.\n\nif you dont care about the legality, u need an XP home Cd and install key. Just pop the cd in the drive and let it auto run.
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Is there a sticker on the back of the pc with the product key on it? There should be. Do you have the xp install disk?\nYou need one or both or you are out of luck. \n\nIf you have the sticker, key the product key from that sticker into the box. If that does not work, and you have the cd, try reinstalling xp and entering the product key from the sticker. \n\nIf you do not have a product key, you have no way in and you will have to buy a copy of xp or Me or 2000.
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It is very important with those drivers that you extract them with Winzip (if you have Win98 or 2000) or the extract here after right clicking in XP. If you don't use extract (as opposed to just opening the zip file) it might not work. You then go to device manager to the video adapter and right click then update driver. Then have it install from the location of the extracted files. (if it does not have a setup program in it)
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1.  Buy Windows XP Upgrade Edition (recommend Professional, but Home edition is fine).  Pro:\n\nhttp://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=477481/sort_type=bottomline\n\n2. Pop it in your CD drive and boot computer.\n\n3. Follow prompts and answer questions that come up during setup wizard (simple).\n\n\n2b.  If your computer doesn't boot from CD or prompt to hit a key to boot, then you may need to set your CD as a boot drive in BIOS.  If that happens, you'll need additional instructions.  Post here.
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You can use sysinstall > upgrade option, to upgrade using ftp, http or cd-rom. It is not just easy but quite fast also. Always backup data before upgrading system.