software compatibility

[Kelly Edmonds]

I'm considering upgrading to XP from ME. If I do this,
what sort of problems will I run into running my existing
programs and other programs I might purchase in the
future? In short, can I run programs in XP that I can run
in 95, 98, or ME?

We ran into this type of problem with my brother's
computer and his daughters programs. He was running
Win2000. They did a system restore before installing
2000. Then after they installed 2000, we tried to install
some of my niece's programs and got a message that they
were incompatible with 2000. Can I run 95, 98, and ME
compatible programs on a computer with XP? Do you have to
install them before you upgrade to XP? Or can they be
installed after the fact? Also, I have a copy of
Win98Plus. Can I run this with XP... or is there
something similar for XP? I really like the Screen Saver
special effects included with Plus... the black hole...
the screen flip... etc.

[Nicholas]

Before upgrading any existing Windows installation, it would be prudent =
to
run the Upgrade Advisor for Windows XP. This tool will report what =
hardware
or software may be incompatible with Windows XP. If you follow the =
Upgrade
Advisor's recommendations, you should not have any problem upgrading to
Windows XP.

If you fail to utilize the Upgrade Advisor, you may run into =
incompatibility issues.
Just inserting the Windows XP Upgrade CD in the CD Drive and selecting
"upgrade" is not going to give you the desired result. You must =
"prepare and
plan" your computer before beginning the upgrade process.

Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=3Dkb;en-us;307726=20

HOW TO: Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or=20
Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=3Dkb;EN-US;316639

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm


Also, physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware devices,
especially USB devices. Uninstall any antivirus program, too!

Most importantly, it would be prudent to perform a backup of
any data files you have, just in case a problem should occur.

Important: When you are ready to upgrade to Windows XP,
make sure to select the default "Upgrade" option
during the initial setup phase. Do not select the
alternative "New Installation" option!

Note: Win98Plus is not XP compatible.


--=20
Nicholas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------=


"Kelly Edmonds" > wrote in message:
...

| I'm considering upgrading to XP from ME. If I do this,=20
| what sort of problems will I run into running my existing=20
| programs and other programs I might purchase in the=20
| future? In short, can I run programs in XP that I can run=20
| in 95, 98, or ME?
|=20
| We ran into this type of problem with my brother's=20
| computer and his daughters programs. He was running=20
| Win2000. They did a system restore before installing=20
| 2000. Then after they installed 2000, we tried to install=20
| some of my niece's programs and got a message that they=20
| were incompatible with 2000. Can I run 95, 98, and ME=20
| compatible programs on a computer with XP? Do you have to=20
| install them before you upgrade to XP? Or can they be=20
| installed after the fact? Also, I have a copy of=20
| Win98Plus. Can I run this with XP... or is there=20
| something similar for XP? I really like the Screen Saver=20
| special effects included with Plus... the black hole...=20
| the screen flip... etc.
|

[Tom Foolery]

"Kelly Edmonds" > wrote in message
...
> I'm considering upgrading to XP from ME. If I do this,
> what sort of problems will I run into running my existing
> programs and other programs I might purchase in the
> future? In short, can I run programs in XP that I can run
> in 95, 98, or ME?

After running the update advisor you find that your hardware is compatible,
if you decide to go ahead with WinXP, a word of advice would be not to load
XP over any other operating system, especially ME. Otherwise you would just
be loading your new operating system with junk from a previous, quirky,
unstable system. Backup your important files and folders and do a "clean
install". Also, you would be wise to add memory if you don't have at least
512mb.

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm


>
> We ran into this type of problem with my brother's
> computer and his daughters programs. He was running
> Win2000. They did a system restore before installing
> 2000. Then after they installed 2000, we tried to install
> some of my niece's programs and got a message that they
> were incompatible with 2000. Can I run 95, 98, and ME
> compatible programs on a computer with XP? Do you have to
> install them before you upgrade to XP? Or can they be
> installed after the fact? Also, I have a copy of
> Win98Plus. Can I run this with XP... or is there
> something similar for XP? I really like the Screen Saver
> special effects included with Plus... the black hole...
> the screen flip... etc.
>