muckshifter
10-31-2001, 06:10 AM
How they did it
Upgrading Windows 9x/Me to Windows XP is actually a bit of a misnomer. When you upgrade such a system, Microsoft actually examines your installation, moves your documents and personalized settings to a backup location, and then performs a clean install of XP. Then, it goes back and applies those personalized settings to the new OS and moves your documents into the correct location (My Documents, which is located in a different place in XP than it was in 9x/Me). This is why it requires so much free space for the upgrade, by the way.
Also, by default, XP Setup will backup your existing 9x system so you can uninstall XP and go back if you have problems. I strongly recommend allowing it to do so (you'd have to go out of your way to prevent it), because this gives you an out if anything goes wrong. And trust me, with a move between two very different technologies, something very well could go wrong.
However, there are other safeguards. During the upgrade, XP Setup will examine your current system and create a report explaining what types of problems you might have with hardware and software. A hardware device might not be supported under XP, for example, and require a new driver from the manufacturer. You might have to reinstall certain software, or may find that some software--especially virus scanners, disk utilities, and the like--will not work at all under XP. If you want to run this test before installing (or even purchasing) XP, please read part two of this Installation Super Guide, Using the Upgrade Advisor, first. This tool will provide you with the same information as XP Setup, giving you time to collect the necessary updates ahead of time.
Also, there is tremendous application compatibility software running behind the scenes in XP. Described in my showcase titled Windows XP Hardware and Software Compatibility, this software can actually fake out thousands of popular DOS and Windows games and applications, and make them think they're running on Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 or 2000. Using such software shims, XP makes it possible to seamlessly run older programs in a way that was impossible with Windows 2000. And if that still doesn't work, you can manually fake out recalcitrant apps by applying OS templates to shortcuts on the fly.
OK, you've been warned, but honestly, most people will experience a successful upgrade. I just wanted you to be aware of the work that was done behind the scenes to make it possible.
Full Story (http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_9xupgrade.asp) with pictures for the Hard of Hearing. :D
Hopefully, everything went well and you're all set. But remember that a 9x/Me to XP upgrade isn't the optimal way to move to XP, and if it's possible, I recommend going the clean install route.
:hat:
Upgrading Windows 9x/Me to Windows XP is actually a bit of a misnomer. When you upgrade such a system, Microsoft actually examines your installation, moves your documents and personalized settings to a backup location, and then performs a clean install of XP. Then, it goes back and applies those personalized settings to the new OS and moves your documents into the correct location (My Documents, which is located in a different place in XP than it was in 9x/Me). This is why it requires so much free space for the upgrade, by the way.
Also, by default, XP Setup will backup your existing 9x system so you can uninstall XP and go back if you have problems. I strongly recommend allowing it to do so (you'd have to go out of your way to prevent it), because this gives you an out if anything goes wrong. And trust me, with a move between two very different technologies, something very well could go wrong.
However, there are other safeguards. During the upgrade, XP Setup will examine your current system and create a report explaining what types of problems you might have with hardware and software. A hardware device might not be supported under XP, for example, and require a new driver from the manufacturer. You might have to reinstall certain software, or may find that some software--especially virus scanners, disk utilities, and the like--will not work at all under XP. If you want to run this test before installing (or even purchasing) XP, please read part two of this Installation Super Guide, Using the Upgrade Advisor, first. This tool will provide you with the same information as XP Setup, giving you time to collect the necessary updates ahead of time.
Also, there is tremendous application compatibility software running behind the scenes in XP. Described in my showcase titled Windows XP Hardware and Software Compatibility, this software can actually fake out thousands of popular DOS and Windows games and applications, and make them think they're running on Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 or 2000. Using such software shims, XP makes it possible to seamlessly run older programs in a way that was impossible with Windows 2000. And if that still doesn't work, you can manually fake out recalcitrant apps by applying OS templates to shortcuts on the fly.
OK, you've been warned, but honestly, most people will experience a successful upgrade. I just wanted you to be aware of the work that was done behind the scenes to make it possible.
Full Story (http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_9xupgrade.asp) with pictures for the Hard of Hearing. :D
Hopefully, everything went well and you're all set. But remember that a 9x/Me to XP upgrade isn't the optimal way to move to XP, and if it's possible, I recommend going the clean install route.
:hat: