Bright idea? Or stupid idea?

[MarineCorps]

Ok I have had problems installing a drive for my usb key on my own computer which has win98, which is not hooked up to the internet anymore. However we recently got a DELL computer and with it came windows XP and of course a back up CD containing XP. Now my Q is: Is it a bright idea to install it on the old computer? As I don't think it is possible to make the OS work with DELL computers but I don't know.

 

[ainwood]

Well, of course its illegal to install the OS on more than one PC. And with win XP, you have to 'activate' it, which sends info about the PC hardware to M$, which means that you may hve to answer some awkward questions from them to activate it.

But if you do get a copy of XP to install on your win 98 machine, there are two things that I think you need to consider:
1.) Does the win98 machine have enough power to run XP? I'd suggest a minimum of a 1GHz machine, running 512 MB memory for good performance. It will run with 128 MB RAM, and at lower processor speeds, but its a bit sluggish. RAM is cheap.

Secondly: To install on the win98 machine, make sure you reformat to install it, rather than try to upgrade win98 to XP. Will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

 

[MarineCorps]

Well that idea goes down the drain. The pos has 98 MB of RAM and not many of the other things I need. Not to mention I doubt they will let me activate it. Well time to save up $200 to buy XP. Thanks for the help.

 

[Goober]

I have read that XP:HE needs at least 384 Mb of Ram to run reasonably fast. If it is running slow for you, just shove in a 512 stick like I did. Solved a lot of my problems with my computer . . .

 

[ainwood]

I used to run with 128MB. ran OK, just a bit sluggish when running and shutting-down apps.

 

[FireBall]

Nah, I don't think it's worth the time, effort and money that you''d need to put in...

If you're having such problems with the drive, Call Dell's Toll-Free number, they'll help you out.

 

[funxus]

I wouldn't do it. Speed is quite essential, at least for me.

 

[Turner]

Is your old computer a dell to? If it isn't, it probably won't work. Those restore discs are tailored for particular systems. At least, my Crappy HP one was. I upgraded it to XPPro right after it came out, and now I can't use my restore disks on it. No biggie, but still.

Can't you d/l the drivers off the net and transport them via floppy to the old machine? 'Tis how I'd do it.

 

[MarineCorps]

I DL the driver but it fails to work.

 

[FireBall]

*cough* I repeat agin... call Dell's Support Number.... If anyone can help you, they should be able to.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

won't work.