Considering upgrade from 98SE to XP PRO on older laptop: advice as to merits on this: just the cons as I run XP on desktop
I'm familiar with upgrading, installing, re-installing XP with OEM, Upgrade ver. & full retail.
I bought an IBM Thinkpad with 1 GB CPU, 256 RAM, 20 GB HD; it is running nicely.
I'm thinking my son might want it for college studies; so I have an upgrade ver. of XP Pro,
BUT I'm not 100% sure of the version as it was given to me & the color of the key code
badge on case isn't always easy to know for sure, as M/S changed those labels allot.
I've been to the M/S site to view the labels, but they aren't alway a perfect match.
Thus, will the install notify me of an incorrect version & allow me to cancel the upgrade?
I could install, which he might prefer as he's studiying accounting; & may use the laptop
for sales work while he studies.
Questions #1: Value gained by upgrade?
I visited the IBM site & there's allot of updating of drivers required of this upgrade OS,
including the BIOS. I've done these procedures & know that a BIOS update can go wrong, as
could other driver updates.
There's allot of time involved to accomplish this upgrade. I have $245. inversted & a new
laptop is only $500.+
Ques. #2: Will such an upgrade produce a "satisfactory" re. usage PC?
Do you think the User can install Quicken or Quickbooks & it would run OK
on the present system (OS Win.98SE); or should I/he just forget using this older laptop
& buy a new entry level laptop?
Ques.#3: I've not installed to a new partition, re. saving & reverting to the original OS, should
the new upgrade not be what we had hoped for. Is this practical with the older system, re. will
it perfectly revert back?
Conclusions:
What are the cautions, basically, re. this upgrade & for specifics links would be helpful.
I've spent allot of my time finally getting older PC's to operate, thanks to this site.
I've slowed down on the desire to learn, learn; as I'm 66 yrs. old & want to do other
activities than repair PC's, especially if they aren't "broke".
Thanks for your interest to help a Dad, help his Son,
Jim
I bought an IBM Thinkpad with 1 GB CPU, 256 RAM, 20 GB HD; it is running nicely.
I'm thinking my son might want it for college studies; so I have an upgrade ver. of XP Pro,
BUT I'm not 100% sure of the version as it was given to me & the color of the key code
badge on case isn't always easy to know for sure, as M/S changed those labels allot.
I've been to the M/S site to view the labels, but they aren't alway a perfect match.
Thus, will the install notify me of an incorrect version & allow me to cancel the upgrade?
I could install, which he might prefer as he's studiying accounting; & may use the laptop
for sales work while he studies.
Questions #1: Value gained by upgrade?
I visited the IBM site & there's allot of updating of drivers required of this upgrade OS,
including the BIOS. I've done these procedures & know that a BIOS update can go wrong, as
could other driver updates.
There's allot of time involved to accomplish this upgrade. I have $245. inversted & a new
laptop is only $500.+
Ques. #2: Will such an upgrade produce a "satisfactory" re. usage PC?
Do you think the User can install Quicken or Quickbooks & it would run OK
on the present system (OS Win.98SE); or should I/he just forget using this older laptop
& buy a new entry level laptop?
Ques.#3: I've not installed to a new partition, re. saving & reverting to the original OS, should
the new upgrade not be what we had hoped for. Is this practical with the older system, re. will
it perfectly revert back?
Conclusions:
What are the cautions, basically, re. this upgrade & for specifics links would be helpful.
I've spent allot of my time finally getting older PC's to operate, thanks to this site.
I've slowed down on the desire to learn, learn; as I'm 66 yrs. old & want to do other
activities than repair PC's, especially if they aren't "broke".
Thanks for your interest to help a Dad, help his Son,
Jim
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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I believe these questions would receive better answers in the Windows XP area:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/
You can either ask to move it at:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/
Or post a 20 points question in Windows XP with a link to this question.
Zee