PC help: Reinstalling Windows

Q I bought an upgrade disc for my Windows 98 computer to install Windows XP as well as a new hard disk. After formatting the new hard disk I tried to install Windows 98, as the copy of Windows XP is an upgrade not a full version. The Windows 98 install program refuses to run, claiming that there is not enough memory. This does not make sense as there is 1GB of memory on two 512MB cards.

A It should be possible to skip installing Windows 98 and start the computer with the Windows XP CD. During the installation you will be prompted to insert ‘validating media’. This is just a confusing term for proof that you are upgrading because the setup program cannot find a previous version of Windows.

Insert the Windows 98 disc and press Enter. You will be prompted to put the Windows XP disc back into the drive when the setup is complete. The other reason for installing this way is that Windows 98 can only work with disks formatted using FAT32, not NTFS as used by Windows XP. NTFS is better for several reasons including security and performance.

The warning about memory is because Windows 98 can’t work on computers with 1GB of memory; when it was designed, few home users could afford this much memory. If the Windows XP setup doesn’t let you use the Windows 98 disc, try removing one of the memory cards. Turn the computer off first and unplug it from the mains. Open the case and look for the memory cards; they are about 13cm long (5in) and close to the processor that has the big heatsink and fan on it. Remove the card furthest from the processor. Push the clasps at either end of the memory stick to release it. Place the memory card somewhere safe and install Windows 98.
Turn the computer off after the installation has finished and replace the memory card in the same slot it came from, even if this is not the next free slot. Restart with the Windows XP disc in the drive to upgrade the computer.