Upgrading Windows

Howard Brazee · Jan 26, 2007

I just bought a Windows 98 full install installation disk, and want to install it prior to upgrading it to XP with an XP upgrade installation disk.

How should I define the VM from Parallels? Do I define it as W98? As WXP? As W98 and then change it?

constant · Jan 27, 2007

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Define it as 98, then have 98 shutdown, and change the parallels config to xp. Next thing is to have the xp disk in, and start the vm, which should kick-off the upgrade.
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Howard Brazee · Jan 27, 2007

Thanks

I discovered (in a different thread) that I need to create a DOS image first in order to install Windows 98, so I will figure out how to do that.

When I tried to create an image file from the Windows 98 installation disk, I couldn't find the utility, so I'm thinking I need to uninstall and install Parallels as well.

palter · Jan 27, 2007

Howard Brazee said:
I just bought a Windows 98 full install installation disk, and want to install it prior to upgrading it to XP with an XP upgrade installation disk.

How should I define the VM from Parallels? Do I define it as W98? As WXP? As W98 and then change it?

You don't need to install 98 first. Start the XP installation. At some point during the process, it should state that it can't find an existing installation of Windows to upgrade. At this point, it will give you the option to insert a CD of an earlier version of Windows. At this point, disconnect your CD from the XP disk/image, eject the disk if you're using a disk, insert the 98 CD, and connect to the 98 CD/image. Once the installer verifies your 98 CD, you'll be able to re-insert the XP CD and continue with the installation.

Howard Brazee · Jan 28, 2007

That worked, thanks!

When I got to the request to format, I searched through the instructions for 5 minutes thinking it told me which way to do so, but couldn't find the reference, so I formatted NTFS. I think that was a mistake, because the first thing I did after installing was to try to drag a copy of her old "My Programs" from the Mac desktop to the WIndows desktop - and failed.

So I may have to reinstall as FAT-32, unless I find that I am missing a simpler setting.

joem · Jan 28, 2007

If I understand correctly, you have XP in a VM and are trying to copy files into it from the Mac environment, specifically a My Programs folder from another (presumably XP) installation.

You have several choices, but formatting FAT32 won't help. Another thing to consider is that simply moving My Programs to another installation will not install all the programs because you are not moving the registry entries, so even if you successfully move over the files, you may not get the result you want. Many applications also install components in other directories.

If you want to move files between environments using the latest release, build 1970, you can set up a shared folder, or share either the source or destination folder on the network, and attach from the other environment and do a network copy. You can also copy the files to a USB flash device such as a jump drive, then attach the drive in XP and copy files.

If you want to install the latest beta (with the risks that come with running beta code) drag and drop between environments may work.

Howard Brazee · Jan 29, 2007

joem said:
If you want to move files between environments using the latest release, build 1970, you can set up a shared folder.

I saw a Parallels folder on the Windows desktop, and did not know what it was for. There was a file with only a suffix.

Two things I want to bring across:
1. Her e-mail and web settings - so that she can run some IE with Active-X businees needs.
2. Her existing games - I realize we will have to reinstall them as well, but she's hoping to keep her save files and such.

Your post leads me to think that my best bet will be to set these up as part of my Workgroup - although I'm wondering if Parallels would allow them to connect without even being connected to anything else.

If that takes too long for me to figure out, I can connect my USB DVD writer to each to copy stuff over.

scotymac · Feb 24, 2007

palter said:
You don't need to install 98 first. Start the XP installation. At some point during the process, it should state that it can't find an existing installation of Windows to upgrade. At this point, it will give you the option to insert a CD of an earlier version of Windows. At this point, disconnect your CD from the XP disk/image, eject the disk if you're using a disk, insert the 98 CD, and connect to the 98 CD/image. Once the installer verifies your 98 CD, you'll be able to re-insert the XP CD and continue with the installation.

Many thanks for posting this upgrade process, after many failed attempts to get 98se loaded as a VM I gave up on using my xp upgrade. As a side note the upgrade process stalled a few times and had to restart. After one restart it could't fine the I386 folder on the cd. Convereted the cdrom to iso and mounted it. Worked beautifully after that. MUCH APPRECIATED!