Windows XP 'upgrade' versions

[BeaucoupFish]

I have an old PC that came with Win98 preinstalled (presumably OEM?), plus CD, cert of authenticity and a valid Product Key.

According to MS, Win98 is valid for an upgrade version of their XP versions. Firstly, can I buy the upgrade version in this case? Secondly, if yes, then do I have to install Win98 first and then upgrade (ugh), or does it just ask you to insert a valid CD and/or enter your old product key?

This will be for a new (home-built) PC of course, and would like to have legit Windows OS. Thx.

[BiPolar_Nut]

You can only upgrade to XP Home from win 98, not XP Pro.

I would suggest googling for an OEM full version of XP Pro. I've bought legit OEM copies w/ license for as low as $84 and never higher than $115 for machines I've built for clients. You won't save much money if any at all by getting an upgrade version or getting Home instead of Pro.

If you do go w/ an upgrade version of XP Home, I'm not sure if you still need to install the old OS first or not. I haven't used an upgrade version since going from 95 to 98.

[BeaucoupFish]

According to MS, you can upgrade from Win98 to XP Home or Pro (see here).

Are there OEM upgrade versions as well?
In any case, does anyone have any experience with whether you have to actually install the earlier version of Windows and then upgrade in place, or if you can just do a fresh install with a "insert CD step" that verifies you have a valid older version?

[BiPolar_Nut]

[ QUOTE ]
According to MS, you can upgrade from Win98 to XP Home or Pro (see here).

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow...I was sure that wasn't the case but obv I was mistaken.

I've never seen OEM upgrade versions...wouldn't really make sense since OEM's are for new machines (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Logic says they don't exist but I don't know for sure.

[BeaucoupFish]

Are OEM full versions just copies that are surplus to a PC vendor that supplies preinstalled machines? I'm just wondering why anyone would buy non-OEM.

[BiPolar_Nut]

[ QUOTE ]
Are OEM full versions just copies that are surplus to a PC vendor that supplies preinstalled machines? I'm just wondering why anyone would buy non-OEM.

[/ QUOTE ]

Vendors that build in bulk are getting OEM copies for ~$80-$120....they can sell extra license+CDs for $5 or so more. They're not "copies" as they are actuall pressed CDs w/ all the hologram stuff and actual licenses/product keys...but basically, yeah...they're using their volume pull on lower prices to sell an item at a small profit. To be "legal", OEM cd's and product keys need to be sold with hardware. Some places force you to buy a $3 generic mouse, others will just throw in a CD audio cable (or whatever they have handy) in the box and list it on the invoice (without really charging you for it). Consider it an OEM loophole. Either way, you don't need to pay full retail price for an XP+license CD to be legit.

[BeaucoupFish]

Thx for the help!

[udbrky]

All you've got to do is put in the 98 disk when it asks and then it confirms you're able to upgrade.