Upgrade Question

[Azure]

About a year ago, I purchased a new computer (cheap) and with it came Windows XP. We ran into problems and I was forced to open the case and move the ram into another slot. It worked fine after that, but now my warranty is toast.

I would like to move XP into an older Pentium computer running 98SE, can I put Windows XP on my old computer? Will I be stepping on Micorsofts toes? The newer computer is toast.

[fobotcso]

Yes you can and no you won't be as long as you are only using your copy of XP on a single machine.

You will probably have to re-validate your new machine because retail XP requires you to do so or it stops working. Microsoft exist to help you with this (this is very similar to one of the world's greatest lies - you know - I'm from the government and I'm here to help!). Call them.

But seriously, if you've paid for the licence you can put the OS on any single machine you like.

[ORAC]

"But seriously, if you've paid for the licence you can put the OS on any single machine you like"

Not true.

If you buy a copy, it is installable on any machine. Pre-installed OEM versions are normally limited to the machine they were supplied on, even if you were lucky enough to be given a CD.

I bought a sealed OEM CD, including sticker, which was claimed to be usable on any machine. Microsoft refused point blank to authorise it on my machine.

You can use keygen to get around it, but that would be cheating...

[fobotcso]

Oops, that's the first time I've heard (seen) that stated as authoritively as that. When Orac speaks...

Perhaps the OEM CD Orac bought was from the "grey market" and hence the Microsoft reaction.

However, if t'were me I would be inclined to have a word with my local Trading Standards Officer in the light of the terms of the licence the user/owner is deemed to have agreed to when running the software for the first time. But then I can be reet grumpy at times when Microsoft gets heavy-handed (speaking as a fan of theirs).

I did assume that Azure had the CD including the Product Key for the OS on the "toast" PC.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Azure,

Moving the RAM from one slot to another does not "Toast" the warranty. If you have a problem, move the RAM back to the original slot and claim Warranty, since the comp is not working properly.

If the new comp is faster than the old comp, then I would look at getting that computer going first, before going back to the old computer.

As for the old computer, what are the specs? (CPU, RAM, HD, etc.)

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. Do not want to see you installing WinXP on a computer that cannot handle it. ;)

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

TCS,

Looks like we think alike once again. :ok:

Take Care,

Richard

[Azure]

Thanks for the info, guys/gals.

No problem with the key (have), and CD etc. so I guess I will contact Microsoft and ask them if I can transfer to the other computer. I will not be running it on both computers as I promised my husband that he could play with Linux on it.....if he can get the piece of **** work properly. Now the CDR won't work; uninstall, reinstall, updated drivers...nothing!

The "older" computer has a 800 Meg AMD Athlon, 15 GB Maxtor HD and 128 MB ram. Still have two slots to add more if needed.
I never planned to run both but am now considering it....not sure if XP is best way to go? 98SE is running fine on this computer, maybe I should just stick with it? It kinda feels like home. Occasionally, I run into problems opening certain files etc. No big reason to upgrade. I don't miss much. Most viruses are targeted towards XP these days. Maybe I should just stay with 98SE?

I think I just talked myself into Hanging XP on my Christmas tree!

[Nudlaug]

WinXP will not be too happy with only 128MB of RAM. I would recommend 256MB absolute minimum, better 512MB.

Or as you said, stay with Win98

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Azure,

As Nudlaug mentioned you want at least 256Mb and the sweet spot is 512mb of RAM. With an 800Mhz CPU, your system will not have any trouble handling WinXP.

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. It is personal preference when it comes to upgrading, both will do the job. (Although I prefer WinXP for dealing with DVD's etc.) ;)

[Azure]

Thanks guys,

[E-Liam]

Hi Azure,

Re upgrading your old machine to XP or not. I've always thought that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a good adage to keep in mind with computers. It's your choice, but if you don't need XP, and are perfectly happy with a working machine doing what you want with W98, then I'd leave well alone. :ok:

As for opening files, what do have problems with? I'm almost certain that some 3rd party software will do the job. I use 98 first edition, and it does everything I need. I've never once thought about upgrading to XP. Admittedly for most home users it's more stable, but a few tweaks here and there and W98 is just as good.. and prettier. (What's with the tellytubby hill wallpaper anyway!!!???) :D

As for the new machine, I still don't see exactly what you mean by "toast" except for the reference to the warranty. Does the new machine work at all, or is it just the CDR, or something else? There's enough people here that can help get it running for you if it's not completely headed for the landfill site yet. Who needs warranties anyway? They charge you three times what it would cost to fix most problems anyway.. so unless it goes wrong three or more times, you'll just be out of pocket.. :D

Just a cynic at heart.. :)

Hi Richard,

[to run XP] you want at least 256Mb and the sweet spot is 512mb of RAM

So do you think that my W98+ machine having 786mb is slight overkill.. :D

Cheers

Liam

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Liam,

Overkill away! You could say the same thing about my CPU with a 500Mhz Overclock. ;)

Overkill yes, fun DEFINITELY! :ok:

Richard

[Fat Dog]

NAC - let me guess - an overclocked XP2500M?! Mine too...

Cheers

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Fat Dog,

I have one of the original AthlonXP 2500+'s that came unlocked. I used the Thermaltake SubZero 4G (http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/subzero/subzero4g.htm) Peltier Cooler.

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/35-106-029-01.JPG

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/35-106-029-03.JPG

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/35-106-029-06.JPG


I thought about messing around with the Mobile AthlonXP 2500+ but with the current release of the Socket 939 Athlon64s, I thought I would wait for them to drop in price and switch over when the nForce4 mobos with Dolby Digital SoundStorm2 are released. ;)

Take Care,

Richard