Upgrading from Evaluation Copy of Windows XP Pro (Build 2600.xpsp1.020828-

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I recently installed the 120-day evaluation version of Windows XP Pro, which will replace Windows 98 on my system.

This presents a quandary, however. I opted not to create a dual-boot configuration and, instead, formatted and partitioned my drive with WinXP Pro as the only OS on my system. Even though I am upgrading from Windows 98 — and therefore qualify for the UPGRADE edition of WinXP Pro — there will be no *qualifying* OS on my machine when I decide to upgrade my present installation to the RETAIL edition of WinXP Pro.

Is there any way that I can easily UPGRADE my installation without having to purchase the FULL retail version of Windows XP? (The evaluation copy of WinXP does not qualify for an upgrade.) I have the original Windows 98 CD; however, as stated earlier, none of the Windows 98 files remain on my system.

I really do not want to reinstall Windows 98 in order to qualify for the upgrade. Is there any way that I can extract certain files from the Windows 98 CD to “trick” the Windows XP Pro UPGRADE version into thinking my system qualifies for an upgrade?

Thanks for your help.

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Steve,
You should be able to do your upgrade OK.
During the installation process, XP might ask for you to load your Win98 CD, in order to verify a prior version of Windows. That should be all you need to continue with the full XP install.

Bob

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Thanks for the quick reply, Bob.

I haven’t been able to find any definitive information on this type of situation on Microsoft’s site. Only thing that comes close is KB article 307993, which says that the upgrade-only version of WinXP “looks” for qualifying products to upgrade.

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It’s basically the same as a reload of Win 95/98 etc. When you did a clean reinstall, you had to load a prior CD or floppies, during the install. The program then “looked” for a certain file or files on these media to prove that you did indeed have some version of Windows originally. I still have the set of floppies from Win 3.1, that I used many times for that purpose. No real problem, really!

Bob

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Yes, Bob, what you say makes sense.

My concern is that when I insert the retail UPGRADE WinXP Pro CD, it will generate an error message saying that it cannot find any qualifying product for upgrade (all it finds is the files from the evaluation copy of WinXP Pro). Then, perhaps, at that point it will ask for my Windows 98 CD. I hope so.

I wouldn’t make such a fuss about this if it weren’t for the $100 difference between the FULL and UPGRADE versions of WinXP Pro.

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That’s exactly what it will do, Steve.
Don’t be concerned, all will be OK as long as the WIN98 CD is also not an upgrade version . Then you would have to go back to the first full version CD or floppies, (hopefully, you kept those) in order to satisfy the qualifier.

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Even the Windows 98 upgrade version CD should work, I have used one on several machines. I have also heard that a Windows 95 CD will work also, but have not tried it.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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One way to avoid the entire situation would be to purchase an OEM version of XP Pro. This is the same disc without a box and without support from MS. For my money, OEM + Lounge = A Great Out Of Box Experience. The price for XP Pro OEM (Full, not an upgrade) is no more than $146.US available at http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/%5B/url%5D as well as many other online resellers like http://www.eastoutlet.com/allframes.htm%5B/url%5D $144.99US. Something to think about anyway.

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Right, WIn95 or even Win3.1 floppies will work OK

Bob

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Bob, I don’t think Win 3.1 qualifies as an upgrade product for XP….but the floppies could always be stowed away for later submission to the Smithsonian Institute….

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Yes, Windows 3.1 floppies will allow one to install a XP OS. The Windows 98 term for a UPGRDE, is based on the fact that most earlier machines would NOT be good enough to run XP.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Yeah, Mark. I’ve already got a set framed and hung over my monitor, just so I can look up there and give a sigh of relief.

Bob

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