Can't upgrade Win 98 SE to Xp Pro

[dougham]

WHen the XP Pro CD boots, it doesn't give an Upgrade Option, only INstall or Repair. If I hit ENTER to install, I then get a message that it can't find a previous version of Windows!!!!!

Reboot without the CD in and Win 98SE boots OK.

What file/registry entry is it looking for.?

BTW package says the upgrade is for Win98, Win98SE, WinME...

I've done a search at MS but no luck yet.

Thanks for your help.

Doug

 

[RealBlackStuff]

Apart from having that problem, you should not UPGRADE.
Instead, save your personal data in another partition/harddisk or burn them on a CD.
Disconnect the PC physically from the internet.
Then fully format your C-drive and install XP from scratch. If it is a real upgrade, it will ask you for proof at some time. Insert your W98/W98SE CD, XP checks it, then put the XP-CD in and continue. Then install the drivers from the motherboard-CD. Then Antivirus & Firewall. Only now should you connect to the internet again and get all your updates, starting with the AV.

 

[dougham]

Thanks

I'd love to do a clean install, but this PC has many programs for which the CDs are lost or the keys can't be found. I detest upgrades but clean installs aren't always possible.
Doug

 

[RealBlackStuff]

Then do a dual boot installation. Make room on that harddisk for an XP partition, using Partition Magic or similar. Or get a second harddisk and install XP there.
Then successively hunt for the missing programs and install/transfer data to XP.

Read this before you keep trying to upgrade:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/comphelp/msg0821572112550.html

 

[greenflash]

Reboot without the CD in and Win 98SE boots OK.

insert the windows xp installation cd after that step.

Perform an upgrade process.

Hope this helps

 

[dougham]

Same result

Running the upgrade from within Win98SE gives the same result:-
"Can't find previous version...If you have CD etc "

 

[RealBlackStuff]

Boot from a W98 bootfloppy with CD-support.
(www.bootdisk.com has the necessary files to make one)
Then try it.