upgrading

[honeyangel8]

hi. i have windows 98 and am thinking off updating it to possibly windows xp. how do i find out if by computer is actually capable of getting it? also how hard is it to install xp? i dont drive so it would be very hard to get it to a shop to be done. thanks in advance for all your help.

[Murf]

Go Here

Half way down the page it will analyze your computer free and tell you.

Not familiar with XP, so someone else can advise.

[honeyangel8]

ok well it says it is i guess. well i'm not sure if xp is the one i really want. isn't that the highest one now? or is windows2000 higher? i want to update it as much as possible

[GretaP]

XP is Microsoft's most recent operating system.

[honeyangel8]

ok cool. so does anyone know how hard it is to install it?

[GretaP]

It's actually quite easy to install it. It just takes a little longer to install than the WIN9x operating systems.

Are you going to be installing it as an upgrade (i.e., over top of) to your current operating system, or were you planning on wiping/formatting the drive and installing it "clean"?

[honeyangel8]

hmmm. i'm not sure. probably just upgrading it since i don't want to lose all my files. also, wouldn't i have to like get more memory and install that though?

[GretaP]

I think the base amount of memory needed for XP is 64Mb, and MS's recommended amount is 128MB. Personally, I would recommend at least 256Mb.

[honeyangel8]

is it hard to install memory?

[GretaP]

No, it's not too difficult to install a memory stick.

I did a little searching to see if I could find a site that would explain (with pictures and all) how to install a stick of RAM. I happened upon this site, that depicts how to install DIMMs or SIMMs. It also comes equipped with Crucial's memory selector (about 1/2 way down the page, where it says "Upgrade your RAM with the Memory Selector"), if you need to find out the type of RAM that is supported by your computer's motherboard (this information should also be in the motherboard manual). Although it is laid out for you to purchase from Crucial the amount and type of memory that you want, you don't have to purchase from them....just take note of the type(s) of RAM that are listed (i.e., SDRAM PC133, SDRAM PC100), as these types will be compatible with your system. From the "Select a Manufacturer" drop-down picklist, choose your computer or motherboard manufacturer and then click on "Go" button. Use the drop-down picklist to select Product Line and click on the "Go" button. Use the drop-down picklist to select the model and click on the "Go" button.

If your video card is seated quite close to your RAM slots (as mine is), you might find it easier to take out your video card before inserting the new RAM stick.