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Ok, I just got a copy of XP. Yeah, I know, I'm pretty late. Before I set it up, I would like to know what is the best thing to do: load XP from scratch, or update my previous Windows 98 SE system?
If the best thing to do is to load from scratch, please list the best ways of doing so. I know I'm asking alot, but I don't want to go through all of the crap that Windows can dish out. Thanks in advance. :D
[quote]Originally posted by da_grinch:
<strong>Ok, I just got a copy of XP. Yeah, I know, I'm pretty late. Before I set it up, I would like to know what is the best thing to do: load XP from scratch, or update my previous Windows 98 SE system?
If the best thing to do is to load from scratch, please list the best ways of doing so. I know I'm asking alot, but I don't want to go through all of the crap that Windows can dish out. Thanks in advance. :D </strong><hr></blockquote>
You are right. The best way to do this is to start from scratch. All you need to do is pop in the CD and click on Install.
Then it will ask you what kind of file system you want and whether you want to have a clean install etc. Very easy to set up, at least for me. Some people have problems with it though. Hopefully you won't have conflicts with video etc.
Good luck
Let us know hwo it goes.
If you do decide to install from scratch, follow the setup program and delete your current partition, and create a new NTFS partition.
Oh, and don't forget to backup any files you want to keep!! Good luck.
before setting xp up (stand alone) check whilst you have got 9x installed , that you have got all the correct drivers ,, espesialy your modem (although a lot of hsf/hsp modems will be found) also check scanners/printers etc.
there is a website , i cannot remember the name that will check your configeration online
I am sure someone will come in and name it.
good luck ,,,
PS NTFS partitions will not be seen by DOS , in your case UNLESS you require super duper security , keep with fat 32 ,,,whilst you sort any config/enthusiastic probs out ,
you can safely convert to NTFS , in about 5 mins, after , ....but (to the best of my knolage) without a lot of time/effort/cost you cannot convert back to FAT..
[quote]Originally posted by freddy:
<strong>PS NTFS partitions will not be seen by DOS , in your case UNLESS you require super duper security , keep with fat 32 ,,,whilst you sort any config/enthusiastic probs out ,
you can safely convert to NTFS , in about 5 mins, after , ....but (to the best of my knolage) without a lot of time/effort/cost you cannot convert back to FAT..</strong><hr></blockquote>
Especially don't convert if your using your computer as a server or host for win 98 or ME anything except XP, you won't be able to access the files on the computer if you convert it.
Correct me if I am wrong.
[quote]Originally posted by dir:
<strong>
Especially don't convert if your using your computer as a server or host for win 98 or ME anything except XP, you won't be able to access the files on the computer if you convert it.
Correct me if I am wrong.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Your wrong. The only way that win9x or ME would not be able to see the files is if it (win9x or ME) were booted with the drive (winxp or 2k with NTFS) attached to the system. Via network there is no change in the way these machines talk other than security measures that can be troublesome for a small peer-to-peer setup.
[quote]Originally posted by freddy:
<strong>there is a website , i cannot remember the name that will check your configeration online</strong><hr></blockquote>
Just use the compatability checker that comes on the XP cd. This has to be run before you format or upgrade. It does err on the side of caution so if it tells you that you have incompatabilities, you may just look at the vendor/manufacturer website for compatability and drivers.
my advice would be to boot with win98 startup disk
use fdisk to kill your c: partition and create another primary active partition. Format it DO NOT use the /s switch - just "format c:")
then reboot with the winXP cd in and it will start setup. It will ask you if you want to convert to NTFS. If you do it only takes a couple of minutes, but remember as others have said. If you do go NTFS, you lose the ability to boot from a win98 or winme startup disk and trouble shoot in dos, you won't be able to even copy files. Stick with the FAT32 or dual boot your machine with 98 or ME.
If you fdisk and wipe your partition but don't create a new one (or start with a new drive) thinking that winxp will partition and format the drive, you are correct. Just make sure there are no other Hard disks present in the system with partition tables. Otherwise you'll end up with your boot drive being some crazy letter like e: or f: (Happened to me on my first XP install. that's why I say set up the drive with fdisk and format first.)
Why would you fdisk then format your hd in win98 then do the install? During the XP install you can kill your old partition and format to NTFS right there. Doing it that way makes things way to complicated.
[quote]Originally posted by gtiseb:
<strong>Why would you fdisk then format your hd in win98 then do the install? During the XP install you can kill your old partition and format to NTFS right there. Doing it that way makes things way to complicated.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Maybe it's just me, but the only person or thing I trust to format and partition a drive is me with fdisk, and format. I tried to let winxp do all you mentioned with the very first install I did of XP and ended up with the hard drive as F: and was unable to change the drive letter in any way shape or form. That caused enough problems for my buddy to justify never letting windows XP setup partition and format a drive again.
Since then, I've had several XP installs and created the partition with FDISK prior to the install and they all have went perfect with no stray drive letters.
besides if he's going to go with FAT32 as most here are reccmending, preparing the drive in FAT32 before hand is a good thing.
[quote]Originally posted by kato2274:
<strong>
Maybe it's just me, but the only person or thing I trust to format and partition a drive is me with fdisk, and format. I tried to let winxp do all you mentioned with the very first install I did of XP and ended up with the hard drive as F: and was unable to change the drive letter in any way shape or form. That caused enough problems for my buddy to justify never letting windows XP setup partition and format a drive again.
Since then, I've had several XP installs and created the partition with FDISK prior to the install and they all have went perfect with no stray drive letters.
besides if he's going to go with FAT32 as most here are reccmending, preparing the drive in FAT32 before hand is a good thing.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Both ways work. But you have to boot off of the cd to format and fdisk with the xp install. If you start from within windows it will upgrade the win9x, ME system to XP and not format it. Cheers.
Ok, I think that I'm going to stick with my FAT32 partition and load XP. I'll let you all know how I make out. Thanks again.
I find it funny no one asked which version of XP da_grinch got. Remember that HOME lets you choose ethier FAT32 or NTFS but PRO only uses NTFS. Plus NTFS is Slightly faster then FAT32.
[quote]Originally posted by GokuSS2:
<strong>I find it funny no one asked which version of XP da_grinch got. Remember that HOME lets you choose ethier FAT32 or NTFS but PRO only uses NTFS. Plus NTFS is Slightly faster then FAT32.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'm using XP PRO on a fat32 partition it created. No problems here with it what so ever once the installation completed.
[quote]Originally posted by Silverman:
<strong>
I'm using XP PRO on a fat32 partition it created. No problems here with it what so ever once the installation completed.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I was just at microsofts site. I have an earlier version. I guess they decided to put that option on there. Funny. Mine only gives me NTFS.
[quote]Originally posted by Silverman:
<strong>
I'm using XP PRO on a fat32 partition it created. No problems here with it what so ever once the installation completed.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I just installed XP pro on a local business computer and he stuck with fat32 for now just to make sure he doesn't have a compatability issue with a part program that he has.
XP Pro does give you a choice of FAT32 or NTFS. In fact both versions of XP do.
You are incorrect GokuSS2. As in Win2K you can use FAT32 or NTFS to format your drives. However, I do believe that the two are still incompatible. You can read from NTFS to FAT32, but not vice versa.
[quote]Originally posted by nytiger73:
<strong>You are incorrect GokuSS2. As in Win2K you can use FAT32 or NTFS to format your drives. However, I do believe that the two are still incompatible. You can read from NTFS to FAT32, but not vice versa.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Read above. I already said I was wrong. My version does not give me the option.
GokuSS2,
I believe theres a limit on partition size for fat 32 (around 32 gb?), is your xp partition bigger than this?
Maybe why you did not have the option of fat32, only NTFS?
[quote]Originally posted by emjay:
<strong>GokuSS2,
I believe theres a limit on partition size for fat 32 (around 32 gb?), is your xp partition bigger than this?
Maybe why you did not have the option of fat32, only NTFS?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Sorry but my second hard drive has a 60gig partition FAT32.
But good thought in theory. Thanks.
[quote]Originally posted by GokuSS2:
<strong>I find it funny no one asked which version of XP da_grinch got. Remember that HOME lets you choose ethier FAT32 or NTFS but PRO only uses NTFS. Plus NTFS is Slightly faster then FAT32.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Since you asked, I have XP Pro. I loaded from scratch, I just popped in the CD on a cold boot and kept my FAT32 partition. It's working ok and I guess I'm not going to see the significance until I start doing more demanding things with my PC.