Windows XP Upgrade

[balebateman]

Hi all

I have been thinking about upgrading to Windows Xp Upgrade for a while now, the only problem would be, I'm not really that great when it comes to computers.

Don't get me wrong like, I know how to open files, save and stuff, but when it comes to UPGRADING something another, I have always hit a problem.

Is the version Windows XP Upgrade any good? or will I buy the Full Version Windows XP?

I saw in the shops there are two versions of Window XP, Home Edition and Windows XP professional, what are the differences?

I heard sometimes it doesn't installed because, because of hardware conflict, or something like that, is this true? as i don't want to spend £90- £200 for a bit of software that doen't work on my computer.

I would say my machine is about 5-6 years old. I am currently using Windows 98, with IE 6, Intel Pentium II, operatiing at 400mhz and 384mb ram. are these eoungh for me to use Windows Xp? or will i just buy a new machine, since my current machine seem to be giving me a lot of trouble lately.


Many thanks

Bale

[GreenNV]

Hi Bale,
Go to this page and you can run a short test which will tell you what you will need to upgrade if you install XP on your computer;

http://www.pcpitstop.com/xpready/default.asp

[pentachris]

As a general rule, doing a clean install of the full version is better than using the upgrade over an existing older version of Windows.

That said, upgrading is probably going to be a little easier for you if your knowledge and skills are limited. Also, upgrading will let you retain your old data without having to make backups.

If it were me, I would back up data either to CD-R or a second hard drive or partition, and do a clean install. If it were, say, my aunt who checks her email, sets up some Word documents, etc., I would recommend she upgrade. Or let me come over and help her out.

XP Home or Professional? Prolly home. Check here. (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp)

[balebateman]

hi thanks for the reply.

Everything looks spot on, except for the BIOS Date bit, its Recommended that you have 01/01/2000, but mine is 03/25/98. I have identified from the user guide manual that I am using Packard Bell MediaBlaster Motherboard:

BIOS

· Intel System BIOS with Phoenix core
· 2Mbits Flash Device with boot block.
· POST
· APM 1.2
· PCI auto-configuration utility.
· Windows 98 ready Plug and Play 1.0a
· System Bios Shadowing
· DMI 2.0
· PCI IDE support
· CD-Rom Boot support (El Torito v1.0)
· Supports boot password protection
· BIOS Recovery and Password Clear
· Multiple language support

So how do I update the BIOS? Do I to go Intel are Phoenix core?


Thanks

Bale

[Budfred]

You will probably need to do a Phoenix BIOS update, but you will need to know the precise BIOS that you are using now to make sure that you are on the right track. A BIOS upgrade is considerably more of a big deal than the Windoze upgrade. It can be done safely, but if you do it wrong, you will have a real good excuse to go buy a new computer.

[balebateman]

would this help?

Bios Ver 4S4EBOX1.11A.003.P02

Phoenix 4.0 Release 6.0

[Budfred]

I keep running into dead ends looking for it, but you may want to do some more searching yourself or wait for someone who may have a better way to look for it. I tried Google www.google.com and there were several possibilities I didn't check. It appears that Phoenix says to get the update from Packard Bell and PB is out of business, so you will need to find it from a third party. It would help if you can figure out the brand of the motherboard. Sorry I can't help more.....

[mjc]

You will need to get the exact model motherboard, because flashing with the wrong file is a sure way to do in the motherboard.

[balebateman]

hi

if i was to open up my computer, how would i identifiy the model of my motherboard? where would i look?

[Budfred]

Write down anything you see printed on the board or on chips that are clearly printed on the board. Different companies mark them differently. If it isn't obvious, post whatever you find here and we can probably help you figure it out.

[balebateman]

this is all i got.

theres a sticker witha barcode on it.... IMSE83008995

a chip with..... Intel FW82371EBL8260205SC2MY

another chiop with...... INTEl E28F002BCT80U8231032D

a number on the motherboard.... E139761


hope this meanings something.?

bale

[balebateman]

also this, 4S4EB0X1.11A.0003.P02.9803251552

[Budfred]

Found this on Google, but make sure everything matches up before you try installing any BIOS upgrade...

http://www.network-drivers.com/drivers/45/45790.htm

[balebateman]

hey

how do i know if the bios matches the one i have on my machine?

[Budfred]

You will need to register and download the one that looks right and then read whatever documentation comes with it to make sure it matches up with the BIOS info you posted here. I don't want to register since I don't need a driver and so I can't check it for you. Once you download and check, feel free to ask for clarification if you need it.

[balebateman]

Hi

i have downloaded the program, what next? do i just install the program?

[Budfred]

You will need to create a boot floppy using the file you downloaded and that should have a readme file with instructions on installation. Also, it will hopefully give you specific info that you can use to confirm that it is the right version. Basically this would be true if the numbers match up with the ones you have. If the instructions aren't there, they may be in a separate text file on the site where you downloaded the BIOS file.

[balebateman]

thank you so much, everything looks spot on.

bale

[Honcho]

ACCCKKKK!! Forget this stuff about bios and upgrades!
1. There is no such thing as an WinXP upgrade, The source code is completely different. What you actually do during upgrade is ask Windows to save all your old non windows junk and intergrate it with your new windows junk. The upgrade is a full version of windows, written nice and fresh not over top.
2. There is no need to update your bios to install WINXP or 2000. Early during the install you will receive a message saying press F6 to install to SCSI, when you see this message press F7 instead. This will prevent Windows from installing ACPI and APM, which is the only thing Windows is concerned with in your BIOS.
Once windows has installed , you may install ACPI and APM through the control panel, under ADD NEW HARDWARE, look for "legacy APM" and install that. the same for ACPI. this will now allow windows to shut your system down without pushing the button.
Updateing your Bios is risky business even for the Pro's and theres no guarantee that the lastest bios available for you MB is going to solve the problem. Simply put, Updateing your Bios should not be done unless it specifically resolves an issue mentioned in the readme file usually found with each version. Most older MBs will not have an Update specifically targeting the installation of NT5.5(WinXP,2000)due to the fact that support for these boards was discontinued before WIN2k.
read this:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;295116