I wouldn't worry about it, with Windows installing from scratch is probably easier than upgrading. When you upgrade it asks you all sorts of questions like what file system you want and what old programs you want to use on the new operating system etc.
I haven't actually installed XP but I've upgraded to Windows 2000 from 98 then I've later created another partition and reinstalled 98 on it to run old DOS programs. The installation of 98 from scratch was much simpler than the upgrading...everything has instructions that a 6 year-old could understand. The installation fees charged by people are for customers who have no experience at all and are scared. Just the fact that you have been a member on this board shows you have at least some experience using PCs so I doubt very much that you need help. If you want to be really safe then just back up all data that you need then go to DOS prompt type "format c:" as people have said. Follow instructions. This will wipe your whole hard drive. Now boot from the CD as someone else said, setting the boot sequence first. Follow the on-screen instructions.
The NTFS file system that windows XP will offer you is best as it stores data more efficiently so uses up less hard disk space than the same data on a FAT32 partition. It also provides an indexing service allowing for faster searching. The only time you wouldn't want NTFS is if you had win 98 or older installed on another partition and you wanted it to see the NTFS partition, cos it can't.

If you want to mess around with partitions, more than one OS, then I suggest you get Partition Magic 7 which allows you to easily create/resize/move/delete partitions.

I can't give you any XP specific help cos I haven't bothered to install it yet. You say it's $200??! I'm glad I get it free from university....just haven't been bothered to get it yet. Can anyone give me any reason to install it instead of a Windows 2000/98 dual boot system?

[ 09-08-2002, 02:31 PM: Message edited by: Vaskez ]

For someone running 2000/98 DB already, no, except that in theory XP can run anything 2000 or 98 can, so in theory according to Microsoft you woudnt need to dualboot at all, which saves a little space. Plus if you dont have 98 around you can use NTFS throughout. And you dont have to consider 98s little quirks like slowing down with more than 512Mb RAM and suchlike.

<font color=skyblue>By the way...I have my 40 GB harddrive already partitioned into three separate and equal drives...one for programs, one for games, and one for school work. Can I keep those partitions in place?</font>

Yes. Ish. Problem will be that any programmes in those partitions will have to be re-installed under XP.

My preferred method would be to backup data files, format all three partitions (And no doubt swear a bit as format starts and you remember that last important file), install XP (choosing NTFS filesystem thorughout) and reinstall programmes. Then simply replace the data files and any patches you had installed.

Okay here we go again you DONT need to format the hd!!!! but if you want to do that press f8 before windows start and at the dos prompt type: format c:
Thats all about that. You can use yor full install cd to uppgrade to Win xp but if you want to install it manualy go in to your bios and change the boot thingie to boot cdrom, c,a and so on then save and exit bios now you should have the xp cd in the cdplayer and when it boot it boot from the cd and the install begin and select NTFS as your filesystem!!!!!
Then it is to wait for the instalation are finnished!
And one more importen thing is when the instaltion is finnished you must go in to your bios again and change the boot thingie back to c,a, cdrom and so on, then your computer should run perfectly! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 09-08-2002, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: Megabot ]

For someone running 2000/98 DB already, no, except that in theory XP can run anything 2000 or 98 can, so in theory according to Microsoft you woudnt need to dualboot at all, which saves a little space. Plus if you dont have 98 around you can use NTFS throughout. And you dont have to consider 98s little quirks like slowing down with more than 512Mb RAM and suchlike.</font>[/QUOTE]Yeah I thought that too. Just wasn't sure if XP could run old DOS programs like 98 can. And I do have 640MB RAM... I was also putting off the upgrade because it's a lot of hassle backing up files, worrying about forgetting something then reinstalling all my applications...

The full install version of XP is exactly identical to the upgrade, the only difference is the license verification section of the installer, don't buy the full install if you have a legally licensed and qualifying product already.

You can use the upgrade on a "cleanly formatted" system. The installer will ask you to insert the cd of the product you used before (as a way to prove you qualify for the upgrade). I've done this a number of times with no problems (upgrading from NT to 2000 or XP)

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?! You mean they charge 75 dollar for something you can do yourself in an hour?! We have the profesional edition here, and we managed to install it in no time. Just press a few buttons and fill in a few forms....